When Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 spectators in 2019, his manager at the time predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
That prediction proved to be a bit of an underestimation.
Today aged 22 and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has just received his maiden summons to the full Three Lions team.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to possible England player is a true throwback, a journey seldom seen in the modern game.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a professional football player, never mind featuring in the Premier League and representing the national team as well,” Scott said previously.
“It has been a crazy five or six years of my life, and things have transformed completely for me and my loved ones.”
So in what way did Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, 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 over four years in the Saints’ academy setup starting at eight, skipping school every Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could train and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before he turned 13, however, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an opportunity and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind was not in it.
Instead, he chose to remain on Guernsey and play for his local team.
“My form had dipped and traveling weekly was becoming overwhelming,” he recalled.
“All I desired to chill at my home with my friends at the weekend because I missed nearly several years of that experience. To have that little bit of youth back was something I definitely needed.
“Building some confidence by returning and taking part in island 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 most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a 57th-minute replacement in their Isthmian League match at Phoenix Sports.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the team because his talent is obvious,” manager the coach commented at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is exceptional, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Second-tier club Bristol City – owned by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an promising beginning in adult football and arranged a try-out in December 2019.
“It was hectic,” said the player. “The first day I joined the youth team, the next day I was with the senior squad, which was a total shock.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in the capital, travelled back and on the Friday, I took the field for the youth team and netted a three goals. It was almost a certainty for me to sign a deal.”
In just 18 months, still well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his first-team debut against the Hatters.
Scott made eighty-three league appearances for the club while in his teens, often being used as a wing-back – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – such was his adaptability and versatility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
With his ability to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and national team attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the second tier’s young player of the season award, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I believe he will represent England and I’m sure he will progress to the pinnacle of the game,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s boss at the club, remarked previously.
Within 90 days after, he joined the Cherries for a understood transfer fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his big move
The midfielder endured a challenging 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 in and out of the starting XI.
His second campaign was just as disrupted, this time by a surgery which sidelined him for almost four months.
“I had a decent run at the end of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained Scott.
“That felt like almost another obstacle and it was turning out to be 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 in time.
He started five of the England U21s’ six matches as they went on to win the competition in Slovakia, developing a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the first team with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun this season equally as strongly for Bournemouth, playing 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 life,” the player said recently.
“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a player, maintain my love for the game, getting better day on day, and with luck I impress the national coach and earn an opportunity.”
