When the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 spectators in 2019, his coach at the time predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
That statement turned out to be something of an understatement.
Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the playmaker has just received his first call-up to the full England team.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to potential international star is a proper blast from the past, a story rarely seen in the modern era.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a professional football player, never mind playing in the top division and representing England as well,” the player stated previously.
“It has been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and things have transformed completely for myself and my loved ones.”
So in what way did Alex Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up here?
Learning in non-league
His football journey has been far from a conventional one.
He was part of over four years in the Saints’ academy setup starting at eight, leaving school early every Friday to travel by air from his island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to he turned 13, however, they released him. The Cherries gave Scott an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he chose to stay on Guernsey and play for his local team.
“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.
“All I desired to chill at my home with my friends at weekends because I missed almost four and a half years of doing that. To have that little bit of youth again was something I definitely required.
“Building some self-belief by coming back and playing island football was huge for me. It was perhaps one of the most important factors that got me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, the teenager became the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he came on as a 57th-minute substitute in their league match at the opposition.
“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance stated at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Second-tier club Bristol City – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been tracking his development after an promising start in men’s football and arranged a trial in December 2019.
“It was hectic,” recalled Scott. “The first day I trained with the youth team, the next day I trained with the first team, which was a complete surprise.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in London, travelled back and by Friday, I played for the youth team and netted a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to sign a contract.”
In just 18 months, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus the Hatters.
He made 83 league appearances for the Robins while still a teenager, frequently being deployed as a wide defender – and occasionally in attack as a number 10 – such was his adaptability and flexibility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was their best player.
With his ability to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to City and national team playmaker Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was voted Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.
“No doubt, I believe he’ll play for his country and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the game,” his former manager, the player’s boss at the club, remarked previously.
Less than 90 days later, he signed for the Cherries for a reported fee of £25m.
Securing his big move
Scott endured a challenging first season with the Cherries, having to wait until the autumn to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then being in and out of the starting XI.
His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for nearly several months.
“I had quite a good run at the end of last season, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said Scott.
“It was yet another setback and the year was turning out to be a pretty bad start for the first five months.”
But he was then called up by the national team for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they went on to win the tournament in Slovakia, forming a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the senior side under Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun the current campaign equally as impressively for his club, playing in all matches to help them to the top five in the standings.
“To play for the national team would be one of the proudest moments of my life,” Scott stated recently.
“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, improving every day, and with luck I impress the national coach and get my chance.”
