Back when Alex Scott made his local team debut against Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 spectators in 2019, his manager back then assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”
That prediction proved to be something of an underestimation.
Today 22 years old and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the midfielder has earned his maiden summons to the senior Three Lions team.
His rise from non-league prodigy to potential international star is a true blast from the past, a story rarely told in the modern game.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of becoming a pro footballer, never mind playing in the top division and representing England as well,” Scott said in a recent interview.
“It has been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and things have transformed completely for myself and my loved ones.”
But how did Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up at this level?
Developing in non-league
Scott’s football journey has been far from a typical one.
He was part of over four years in the Saints’ youth system from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to travel by air from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could attend training and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before he turned 13, though, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth gave Scott an option and he remained with them for a time, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he chose to remain on the island and turn out for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and flying over every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to relax at home with my mates at weekends because I missed almost several years of that experience. Getting that slice of youth again was something I definitely needed.
“Building a bit of self-belief by coming back and playing local football was huge for me. It was probably the most crucial factors that got me to this point.”
At the age of 16, Scott became the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a 57th-minute substitute in their Isthmian League fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could get him in the team because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance commented at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Championship side Bristol City – owned by islander their owner – had been tracking his development after an promising start in men’s football and gave him a trial in late 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” recalled Scott. “Day one I joined the youth team, the next day I trained with the first team, which was a complete surprise.
“Midweek I played for his local side in the capital, returned home and on the Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to sign a deal.”
Within a year and a half, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his first-team debut against the Hatters.
Scott went on to make 83 league appearances for the club while still a teenager, frequently being used as a wing-back – and occasionally further forward as a number 10 – such was his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
With his ability to drive the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and England playmaker Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the EFL Championship’s best young player award, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was voted Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I believe he will represent England and I’m sure he will progress to the pinnacle of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at the club, remarked last year.
Less than 90 days after, he joined the Cherries for a reported transfer fee of £25m.
Securing his big move
The midfielder experienced a challenging first season with the Cherries, waiting until the autumn to make his top-flight debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then finding himself inconsistent of the starting XI.
His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost four months.
“I had a decent run at the end of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said Scott.
“It was almost another obstacle and the year was turning out to be quite a terrible start for the first five months.”
But he was then called up by England 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 games as they claimed victory in the competition in the host nation, developing a strong partnership in the middle with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the first team under the national coach.
And he has begun this season just as impressively for Bournemouth, playing in every game to help them to fifth in the standings.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special occasions of my career,” the player stated earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a player, maintain my love for the game, getting better every day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the England manager and get my chance.”
