Back when Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut against Phoenix Sports before just 55 fans in 2019, his manager at the time predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”
This prediction turned out to be a bit of an understatement.
Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has earned his first summons to the full Three Lions squad.
His rise from non-league prodigy to potential international star is a true blast from the past, a journey rarely seen in the modern era.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the top division and playing for England as well,” the player stated in a recent interview.
“It has been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have changed completely for me and my loved ones.”
But how did Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself at this level?
Developing in the lower tiers
Scott’s path in football has been far from a typical one.
He was part of four and a half years in Southampton’s academy setup starting at eight, leaving school early each Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an option and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart was not in it.
Rather, he opted to stay on the island and play for his hometown club.
“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over every week was becoming overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to chill at home with my mates at weekends because I missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. To have that slice of childhood again was a thing I definitely required.
“To gain some confidence by returning and playing local football was huge for me. It was probably one of the most important things that led me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, the teenager became the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he came on as a second-half replacement in their league fixture at the opposition.
“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could get him in the side because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss the coach commented at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the way he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Second-tier club the Robins – owned by islander their owner – had been tracking Scott’s development after an impressive start in men’s football and arranged a trial in late 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” recalled the player. “Day one I joined the youth team, the second day I trained with the first team, which was a total surprise.
“On the Wednesday I played for Guernsey FC in the capital, travelled back and by Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to sign a deal.”
Within a year and a half, even well before his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut against the Hatters.
He went on to make 83 league outings for the club while in his teens, frequently being deployed as a wide defender – and sometimes in attack as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his adaptability and flexibility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was their best player.
Thanks to his skill to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he picked up the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and national team playmaker Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he won the EFL Championship’s best young player award, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I think he’ll play for his country and I’m sure he will progress to the pinnacle of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at Ashton Gate, stated last year.
Within 90 days after, he joined the Cherries for a understood transfer fee of £25m.
Getting his major transfer
The midfielder endured a difficult first season with the club, having to wait until the autumn to make his top-flight debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then being inconsistent of the team.
His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost several months.
“There was a decent run at the end of last season, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said Scott.
“It was almost another setback and the year was turning out to be quite a terrible year for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by England for the U21 Euros – 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 Slovakia, developing a strong understanding in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who himself has excelled for the first team with the national coach.
And he has started the current campaign just as impressively for Bournemouth, featuring in every game to guide them to the top five in the table.
“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special occasions of my life,” the player stated earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to continue developing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, improving every day, and with luck I impress the national coach and get my chance.”
