When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his manager at the time assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”
That prediction turned out to be a bit of an underestimation.
Today 22 years old and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has earned his maiden call-up to the senior England team.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to potential England player is a true throwback, a journey rarely seen in the modern era.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, never mind playing in the top division and representing the national team as well,” the player said in a recent interview.
“It’s been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have changed completely for myself and my family.”
So in what way did Alex Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up at this level?
Learning in non-league
Scott’s football journey has not been a typical one.
He was part of four and a half years in the Saints’ academy setup from the age of eight, skipping school each Friday to fly from his home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could train and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to his 13th birthday, though, they released him. Bournemouth gave Scott an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind was not in it.
Instead, he opted to remain on the island and turn out for his hometown club.
“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.
“All I desired to relax at my home with my mates at the weekend because I had missed nearly several years of doing that. To have that slice of childhood back was something I definitely needed.
“To gain some confidence by returning and taking part in island football was huge for me. It was probably the most crucial things that led me to this point.”
At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in their league fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the side because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss the coach stated at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the way he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Championship side Bristol City – chaired by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring his development after an impressive start in men’s football and arranged a trial in late 2019.
“It was chaos,” recalled the player. “Day one I joined the youth team, the second day I was with the senior squad, which was a total surprise.
“On the Wednesday I featured for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and on the Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to sign a contract.”
Within a year and a half, still well before his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut against the Hatters.
He made eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while still a teenager, frequently being used as a wide defender – and sometimes in attack as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
With his skill to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and England attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was selected in the division’s team of the year and was voted Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I believe he’ll play for his country and I think he’ll go on to the top of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at the club, remarked last year.
Within three months after, he signed for Bournemouth for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his major transfer
Scott endured a challenging debut campaign with the Cherries, waiting until October to earn his top-flight debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then being in and out of the starting XI.
His following season was equally affected, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for nearly four months.
“There was a decent run at the close of last season, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said Scott.
“That felt like yet another setback and the year was turning out to be quite a terrible start for the first half.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in get himself fit in time.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six games as they claimed victory in the tournament in the host nation, forming a strong partnership in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has gone on to impress for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun this season just as strongly for his club, playing in every game to guide them to the top five in the table.
“To play for the England senior team would be one of the proudest moments of my life,” the player stated earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I must keep progressing as a footballer, keep enjoying football, improving every day, and with luck I catch the eye of the national coach and get my chance.”
