When Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach at the time assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
That prediction proved to be something of an underestimation.
Now 22 years old and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has just received his maiden summons to the senior England squad.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to potential international star is a true blast from the past, a story seldom told in the modern game.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“In my mind, there was no chance of making it as a professional football player, never mind playing in the Premier League and playing for England too,” the player stated in a recent interview.
“It has been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for myself and my family.”
So how did Alex Scott, known fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up here?
Learning in the lower tiers
Scott’s path in football has not been a conventional one.
He was part of over four years in Southampton’s academy setup from the age of eight, skipping school each 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.
Prior to he turned 13, however, they decided to let him go. The Cherries gave him an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, as he later admitted, his mind was not in it.
Instead, he opted to remain on Guernsey and play for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and flying over weekly was becoming overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to relax at home with my friends at the weekend because I missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. To have that slice of youth back was a thing I really required.
“To gain some confidence by coming back and taking part in island football was huge for me. It was perhaps one of the most important things that got me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, Scott became the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a second-half substitute in their league fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss the coach commented at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Championship side the Robins – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been tracking Scott’s development after an impressive beginning in men’s football and arranged a try-out in December 2019.
“It was chaos,” said Scott. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the next day I was with the senior squad, which was a total surprise.
“Midweek I played for his local side in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to sign a deal.”
In just 18 months, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus the Hatters.
Scott went on to make 83 league outings for the club while in his teens, 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 playing out of position he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his ability to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and national team playmaker Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the second tier’s best young player award, was chosen in the division’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I believe he will represent his country and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the sport,” his former manager, Scott’s manager at the club, stated last year.
Less than 90 days after, he signed for Bournemouth for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his major transfer
The midfielder experienced a difficult debut campaign with the club, having to wait until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then being in and out of the team.
His second campaign was just as disrupted, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for nearly four months.
“There was quite a good run at the end of last season, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained he.
“It was almost another obstacle and it was shaping up as a pretty bad start for the first five months.”
But he was then called up 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 tournament in Slovakia, forming a strong understanding in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has gone on to impress for the senior side under Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun the current campaign equally as impressively for his club, featuring 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 occasions of my career,” the player said earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to continue developing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, improving every day, and with luck I catch the eye of the England manager and earn an opportunity.”
