When Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports before just 55 fans in 2019, his coach back then assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
This statement turned out to be something of an understatement.
Now 22 years old and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the midfielder has earned his first summons to the senior England team.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to potential international star is a true blast from the past, a journey rarely told in the modern era.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of becoming a professional football player, never mind featuring in the top division and representing England as well,” Scott stated 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.”
But in what way did Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up at this level?
Developing in non-league
His path in football has been far from a typical one.
He spent four and a half years in Southampton’s academy setup starting at eight, skipping school every Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to he turned 13, however, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth gave him an opportunity and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart was not in it.
Rather, he chose to remain on Guernsey and turn out for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and traveling weekly was becoming a bit too much,” he explained.
“All I desired to chill at home with my friends at weekends because I missed almost four and a half years of doing that. Getting that slice of youth again was something I definitely required.
“Building a bit of self-belief by returning and playing local football was massive for me. That proved to be probably the most crucial factors that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, Scott became the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League match at Phoenix Sports.
“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the side because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance stated at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Championship side the Robins – owned by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring his development after an promising beginning in adult football and gave him a try-out in late 2019.
“It was hectic,” said the player. “Day one I trained with the under-18s, the next day I trained with the senior squad, which was a complete surprise.
“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in London, travelled back and by Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a hat-trick. It was almost a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”
In just a year and a half, still well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his first-team debut versus the Hatters.
He made 83 league appearances for the club while in his teens, frequently being deployed as a wing-back – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his adaptability and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his ability to carry 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 national team playmaker Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the EFL Championship’s best young player award, was chosen in the division’s team of the year and was named the club’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I think he’ll play for his country and I think he’ll go on to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at the club, stated previously.
Less than 90 days later, he joined Bournemouth for a understood transfer fee of £25m.
Securing his major transfer
The midfielder endured a difficult debut campaign with the Cherries, having to wait until the autumn to earn his top-flight debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the team.
His following season was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost four months.
“There was a decent run at the end of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained Scott.
“It was yet another obstacle and it was turning out to be a pretty bad year for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit in time.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they went on to win the competition in Slovakia, developing a formidable partnership in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has excelled for the first team with the national coach.
And he has started this season just as impressively for Bournemouth, playing in all matches to guide them to fifth in the table.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special occasions of my life,” the player said recently.
“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, improving every day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the national coach and get my chance.”
