Back when Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 fans in 2019, his manager back then predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
This statement turned out to be a bit of an underestimation.
Today aged 22 and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has just received his first call-up to the full Three Lions squad.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to possible England player is a proper throwback, a journey rarely told in the modern game.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, let alone featuring in the top division and representing England too,” Scott said in a recent interview.
“It’s been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and things have transformed drastically for myself and my loved ones.”
So in what way did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?
Learning in non-league
Scott’s path in football has not been a typical one.
He spent over four years in Southampton’s academy setup starting at eight, skipping school every Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.
Before he turned 13, however, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he chose to stay on the island and turn out for his hometown club.
“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling every week was starting to feel a bit too much,” he recalled.
“I just wanted to chill at my home with my mates at the weekend because I had missed nearly four and a half years of that experience. To have that slice of youth back was something I really needed.
“To gain a bit of confidence by coming back and taking part in island football was huge for me. That proved to be probably the most crucial things that got me to this point.”
At the age of 16, Scott made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he came on as a 57th-minute replacement in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could include him in the side because he’s that good,” manager the coach commented back then.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, 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 Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been tracking his early progress after an impressive beginning in men’s football and gave him a trial in late 2019.
“It was hectic,” said Scott. “The first day I joined the under-18s, the second day I was with the senior squad, which was a complete shock.
“Midweek I featured for his local side in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”
In just 18 months, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against the Hatters.
He went on to make eighty-three league outings for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being used as a wing-back – and sometimes in attack as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
With his skill to drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to City and national team attacking midfielder Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was named the club’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I think he will represent England and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked last year.
Less than 90 days later, he joined Bournemouth for a understood fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his major transfer
Scott experienced a difficult debut campaign with the Cherries, having to wait until October to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem 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 nearly 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 Scott.
“It was yet another obstacle and the year was turning out to be quite a terrible start for the first half.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit in time.
He went on to start five of the England U21s’ six matches as they claimed victory in the competition in the host nation, forming a strong understanding in the middle with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has started the current campaign just as impressively for Bournemouth, featuring in all matches to guide them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the national team would be among the most special moments of my career,” Scott stated recently.
“It’s down to me, I must continue developing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, improving every day, and hopefully I impress the national coach and earn an opportunity.”
