When Alex Scott made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his coach back then predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
This statement turned out to be something of an underestimation.
Now 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his first call-up to the full Three Lions squad.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to potential England player is a true throwback, a story seldom seen in the modern era.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“In my mind, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the Premier League and representing England as well,” Scott said in a recent interview.
“It’s been a incredible five or six years of my life, and circumstances have changed completely for me and my family.”
But how did Alex Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself at this level?
Learning in the lower tiers
Scott’s football journey has not been a typical one.
He was part of four and a half years in Southampton’s academy setup starting at eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could train and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before he turned 13, however, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an option and he remained with them for a time, but, as he later admitted, his mind was not in it.
Instead, he chose to remain on Guernsey and turn out for his local team.
“My form had dipped and traveling weekly was becoming overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to chill at my home with my friends at weekends because I had missed nearly several years of doing that. Getting that slice of youth again was something I definitely required.
“To gain a bit of confidence by returning and playing local football was massive for me. That proved to be perhaps the most crucial factors that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, Scott became the youngest player in the club’s records when he was introduced as a 57th-minute replacement in their Isthmian League fixture at the opposition.
“I’ve been having 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 commented back then.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s a class act.”
Returning to the professional game
Second-tier club Bristol City – chaired by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring his early progress after an promising beginning in men’s football and gave him a trial in December 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” said the player. “Day one I joined the youth team, the second day I was with the first team, which was a complete surprise.
“Midweek I featured for his local side in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a three goals. It was almost a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”
Within 18 months, even well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against Luton.
Scott went on to make eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being used as a wing-back – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – such was his versatility and flexibility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was their best player.
With his skill to drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and England attacking midfielder Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was selected in the league’s best XI and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I believe he’ll play for his country and I think he will progress to the top of the game,” his former manager, the player’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked previously.
Less than 90 days later, he joined Bournemouth for a understood fee of £25m.
Getting his big move
Scott endured a difficult first season with the Cherries, waiting until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the starting XI.
His second campaign was equally disrupted, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost several months.
“There was quite a good run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained he.
“It was yet another obstacle and it was shaping up as quite a terrible start for the first five months.”
But he was then called up by the national team for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in regain fitness for the tournament.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, developing a formidable partnership in the middle with his teammate, who in turn has gone on to impress for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun the current campaign equally as strongly for his club, featuring in every game to guide them to the top five in the standings.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” the player stated recently.
“The responsibility is mine, I must 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.”
