Back when Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager at the time predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
This statement turned out to be a bit of an understatement.
Today aged 22 and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the midfielder has earned his first summons to the full Three Lions team.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a proper blast from the past, a story rarely seen in the modern era.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the top division and representing the national team too,” Scott stated in a recent interview.
“It has been a incredible five or six years of my life, and things have transformed drastically for me and my loved ones.”
But in what way did Alex Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself here?
Developing in non-league
Scott’s path in football has been far from a typical one.
He spent four and a half years in the Saints’ academy setup from the age of eight, leaving school early each Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to he turned 13, however, they decided to let him go. The Cherries gave Scott an option and he remained with them for a while, but, as he later admitted, his heart was not in it.
Rather, 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.
“I just wanted to chill at home with my mates at weekends because I had missed almost several years of that experience. To have that little bit of youth again was something I definitely required.
“To gain some self-belief by returning and playing local football was huge for me. That proved to be perhaps the most crucial factors that led me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, Scott became the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in their league fixture at the opposition.
“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could include him in the team because his talent is obvious,” manager the coach stated back then.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Second-tier club Bristol City – chaired by islander their owner – had been monitoring Scott’s early progress after an impressive beginning in men’s football and gave him a trial in late 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” recalled Scott. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the next day I was with the first team, which was a complete surprise.
“On the Wednesday I featured for his local side in London, returned home and by Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a three goals. It was almost a done deal for me to sign a contract.”
Within 18 months, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut versus the Hatters.
Scott went on to make 83 league appearances for the club while still a teenager, often being used as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a number 10 – such was his adaptability and flexibility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his skill to drive the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to City and England playmaker Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the second tier’s best young player award, was chosen in the league’s best XI and was voted Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I think he will represent England and I’m sure he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the sport,” his former manager, the player’s boss at the club, remarked previously.
Within 90 days after, he joined the Cherries for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his big move
The midfielder experienced a challenging first season with the club, waiting until October to earn his top-flight debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the team.
His second campaign was just as disrupted, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for nearly several months.
“There was a decent run at the close of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.
“It was almost another obstacle and the year was shaping up as quite a terrible year for the first half.”
But he was then selected by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.
He started five of the England U21s’ six matches as they claimed victory in the tournament in the host nation, developing a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the first team under the national coach.
And he has begun the current campaign just as strongly for Bournemouth, featuring in all matches to guide them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the national team would be among the most special moments of my career,” the player said earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, 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.”
