When the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager back then assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
This prediction turned out to be a bit of an underestimation.
Now aged 22 and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the midfielder has earned his first summons to the senior England team.
His ascent from eighth-tier talent to possible England player is a proper throwback, a journey rarely seen in the modern game.
Next stop? The World Cup?
“In my mind, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, never mind playing in the top division and representing the national team too,” Scott said previously.
“It has been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have changed completely for myself and my loved ones.”
So in what way did Alex Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up here?
Learning in non-league
Scott’s path in football has been far from a typical one.
He was part of over four years in Southampton’s youth system from the age of eight, leaving school early each Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could attend training and feature for the club’s academy sides.
Before he turned 13, though, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, as he later admitted, his mind wasn’t fully committed.
Instead, he opted to remain on the island and play for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and flying over every week was becoming a bit too much,” he explained.
“All I desired to chill at home with my friends at the weekend because I missed almost four and a half years of doing that. Getting that slice of childhood back was a thing I really required.
“To gain a bit of confidence by returning and playing local football was massive for me. It was perhaps one of the most important factors that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he came on as a 57th-minute substitute in their Isthmian League fixture at the opposition.
“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the team because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss the coach stated back then.
“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is exceptional, the manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Championship side Bristol City – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been monitoring his development after an promising start in adult football and arranged a trial in December 2019.
“It was chaos,” said Scott. “The first day I joined the youth team, the next day I was with the senior squad, which was a complete shock.
“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”
In just 18 months, even well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against Luton.
Scott went on to make 83 league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, often being used as a wide defender – and sometimes further forward as a number 10 – demonstrating his adaptability and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
With his ability to drive the ball forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and England attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s best young player award, was selected in the league’s best XI and was named Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I think he will represent his country and I’m sure he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at Ashton Gate, stated previously.
Within three months after, he signed for Bournemouth for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his big move
Scott experienced a challenging first season with the Cherries, waiting until October to earn his top-flight debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then finding himself in and out of the team.
His following season was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for nearly several months.
“I had a decent run at the close of last season, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said Scott.
“That felt like almost another obstacle and the year was turning out to be quite a terrible year for the first half.”
But he was then called up by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and managed to get himself fit for the tournament.
He started five of the England U21s’ six games as they claimed victory in the competition in Slovakia, developing a formidable understanding in the middle with his teammate, who in turn has gone on to impress for the first team with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has started this season equally as impressively for Bournemouth, featuring in every game to guide them to the top five in the table.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” Scott stated earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to keep progressing as a player, maintain my love for football, improving day on day, and with luck I impress the national coach and earn an opportunity.”
