When Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports before just 55 fans in 2019, his coach back then predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
This statement proved to be a bit of an understatement.
Now 22 years old and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the midfielder has earned his first summons to the full Three Lions squad.
His ascent from eighth-tier talent to potential England player is a true blast from the past, a journey seldom seen in the modern game.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, let alone playing in the Premier League and playing for England too,” the player said previously.
“It’s been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have changed drastically for me and my loved ones.”
So in what way did Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up here?
Developing in the lower tiers
His football journey has not been a typical one.
He spent over four years in the Saints’ academy setup from the age of eight, skipping school every Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could attend training and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before his 13th birthday, though, they released him. The Cherries were willing to offer Scott an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he opted to remain on Guernsey and play for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and traveling every week was starting to feel a bit too much,” he explained.
“All I desired to relax at my home with my mates at the weekend because I had missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. To have that slice of youth again was something I definitely needed.
“Building a bit of confidence by returning and playing local football was huge for me. That proved to be probably one of the most important factors that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager became the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a second-half replacement in their league fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could include him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance stated back then.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the manner he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Second-tier club the Robins – chaired by islander their owner – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an impressive beginning in adult football and gave him a trial in late 2019.
“The whole experience was chaos,” said Scott. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the next day I was with the first team, which was a complete shock.
“Midweek I played for his local side in London, travelled back and by Friday, I took the field for the youth team and netted a hat-trick. From that point a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”
Within 18 months, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut versus Luton.
Scott made 83 league outings for the Robins while still a teenager, often being used as a wing-back – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was their best player.
Thanks to his ability to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to City and England playmaker Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he won the second tier’s young player of the season award, was chosen in the league’s best XI and was voted the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I believe he will represent his country and I’m sure he will progress to the pinnacle of the game,” his former manager, the player’s manager at Ashton Gate, stated last year.
Within 90 days later, he signed for the Cherries for a reported transfer fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his big move
Scott endured a difficult first season with the club, waiting until the autumn to make his top-flight debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then being in and out of the team.
His second campaign was just as affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost several months.
“I had a decent 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 it was shaping up as quite a terrible year for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the U21 Euros – and managed to regain fitness for the tournament.
He went on to start five of the England U21s’ six games as they claimed victory in the tournament in Slovakia, developing a strong partnership in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the first team under the national coach.
And he has started the current campaign just as strongly for Bournemouth, playing in all matches to help them to the top five in the table.
“To play for the national team would be among the most special occasions of my life,” Scott stated earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to keep progressing as a player, maintain my love for football, improving day on day, and with luck I impress the England manager and get my chance.”
