When the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut against 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 proved to be something of an understatement.
Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has just received his first summons to the senior England team.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to potential England player is a true throwback, a journey rarely seen in the modern era.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of becoming a professional football player, never mind playing in the Premier League and playing for England as well,” the player stated in a recent interview.
“It has been a incredible five or six years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for me and my loved ones.”
But how did Alex Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself at this level?
Developing in non-league
His football journey has not been a typical one.
He was part of over four years in Southampton’s academy setup starting at eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his home on Guernsey 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 were willing to offer Scott 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.
Instead, he chose to remain on the island and turn out for his local team.
“My form had dipped and traveling every week was becoming overwhelming,” he recalled.
“I just wanted to relax at my home with my friends at weekends because I had missed almost several years of that experience. To have that slice of childhood again was something I really required.
“To gain some self-belief by coming back and playing island football was massive for me. That proved to be probably one of the most important things that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the youngest player in the club’s records when he came on as a second-half replacement in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.
“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could include him in the side because his talent is obvious,” manager the coach commented back then.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the way he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Second-tier club the Robins – chaired by Guernsey resident their owner – had been tracking Scott’s early progress after an impressive beginning in men’s football and gave him a try-out in December 2019.
“The whole experience was chaos,” said Scott. “Day one I joined the youth team, the second day I was with the senior squad, which was a complete surprise.
“On the Wednesday I featured for his local side in London, travelled back and by Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a hat-trick. It was almost a certainty for me to sign a deal.”
Within 18 months, still well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his first-team debut versus Luton.
He made 83 league appearances for the Robins while still a teenager, often being used as a wing-back – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his skill to drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to City and England attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the EFL Championship’s best young player award, was chosen in the division’s best XI and was voted Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I think he’ll play for England and I’m sure he will progress to the pinnacle of the game,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked last year.
Within three months after, he signed for Bournemouth for a understood fee of £25m.
Securing his major transfer
Scott endured a challenging first season with the Cherries, waiting until the autumn to earn his top-flight debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then being in and out of the team.
His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost four months.
“There was a decent run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.
“It was yet another obstacle and it was shaping up as quite a terrible start for the first half.”
But he was then called up by the national team for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in regain fitness in time.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they claimed victory in the tournament in Slovakia, developing a formidable partnership in midfield with his teammate, who himself has gone on to impress for the first team with the national coach.
And he has started this season equally as strongly for Bournemouth, featuring in all matches to guide them to the top five in the table.
“To play for the national team would be one of the proudest occasions of my life,” the player said recently.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to keep progressing as a footballer, keep enjoying football, improving day on day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the national coach and earn an opportunity.”
