Back when the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his manager back then assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
That statement proved to be a bit of an underestimation.
Now 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the midfielder has earned his maiden summons to the full Three Lions team.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to potential England player is a proper throwback, a story seldom told in the modern game.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of becoming a professional football player, never mind featuring in the top division and playing for the national team too,” Scott stated in a recent interview.
“It’s been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have transformed drastically for me and my loved ones.”
But in what way did Alex Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?
Learning in non-league
His football journey has been far from a typical one.
He spent over four years in Southampton’s academy setup starting at eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and feature for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth gave him an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Instead, he opted to remain on Guernsey and turn out for his local team.
“My form had dipped and traveling weekly was becoming a bit too much,” he recalled.
“All I desired to relax at my home with my mates at the weekend because I missed almost four and a half years of that experience. Getting that little bit of youth again was a thing I definitely required.
“To gain some confidence by coming back and taking part in local football was huge for me. That proved to be perhaps one of the most important things that led me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, Scott made history as the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League match at Phoenix Sports.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could get him in the side because his talent is obvious,” manager the coach stated back then.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Second-tier club Bristol City – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been monitoring his early progress after an promising beginning in adult football and gave him a trial in late 2019.
“The whole experience was chaos,” recalled the player. “The first day I trained with the under-18s, the next day I was with the first team, which was a total surprise.
“On the Wednesday I featured for Guernsey FC in the capital, travelled back and on the Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”
Within 18 months, still well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against the Hatters.
He made 83 league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being deployed as a wide defender – and occasionally in attack as a number 10 – such was his adaptability and flexibility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was their best player.
With his ability to carry the ball forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to City and England attacking midfielder Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was selected in the division’s team of the year and was voted the club’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 sport,” his former manager, the player’s boss at the club, remarked previously.
Less than three months later, he signed for Bournemouth for a understood transfer fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his big move
Scott endured a challenging first season with the club, waiting until October to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the team.
His following season was equally disrupted, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for nearly several months.
“I had quite a good run at the end of last season, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained Scott.
“It was almost another obstacle and it was turning out to be a pretty bad 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 Slovakia, forming a strong partnership in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the first team under Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun the current campaign equally as impressively for his club, featuring in all matches to guide them to fifth in the standings.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” Scott stated earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to continue developing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, improving day on day, and with luck I catch the eye of the national coach and get my chance.”
