When Alex Scott made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports before just 55 fans in 2019, his manager back then assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
This statement proved to be a bit of an underestimation.
Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has just received his maiden summons to the full England team.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a true throwback, a story rarely seen in the modern era.
Next stop? The World Cup?
“In my mind, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, let alone playing in the top division and representing the national team as well,” the player stated previously.
“It’s been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have changed drastically for me and my family.”
But in what way did Alex Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?
Developing in non-league
Scott’s path in football has not been a typical one.
He was part of four and a half years in the Saints’ youth system starting at eight, leaving school early every Friday to travel by air from his island home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could attend training and feature for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to he turned 13, however, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an opportunity and he remained with them for a while, but, as he later admitted, his mind wasn’t fully committed.
Instead, he chose to remain on Guernsey and play for his local team.
“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.
“All I desired to relax at home with my friends at the weekend because I had missed almost four and a half years of doing that. To have that slice of youth back was something I really required.
“Building a bit of confidence by coming back and taking part in island football was massive for me. That proved to be perhaps the most crucial factors that led me where I am today.”
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 substitute in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” manager Tony Vance commented at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Second-tier club the Robins – chaired by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an impressive beginning in men’s football and gave him a trial in late 2019.
“It was chaos,” said Scott. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the next day I was with the first team, which was a complete shock.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in the capital, returned home and by Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a three goals. It was almost a certainty 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 Luton.
He went on to make 83 league appearances for the club while in his teens, often being deployed as a wide defender – and sometimes in attack as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
With his skill to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and national team playmaker Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 campaign he won the second tier’s best young player honour, was chosen in the division’s team of the year and was named the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I think he’ll play for England and I’m sure he will progress to the pinnacle of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s manager at the club, stated previously.
Within three months after, he signed for the Cherries for a understood fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his big move
Scott endured a difficult first season with the club, waiting until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then being in and out of the team.
His second campaign was just as affected, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for nearly four months.
“I had a decent run at the close of last season, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained he.
“That felt like yet another obstacle and it was shaping up as a pretty bad start for the first five months.”
But he was then called up by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and managed to get himself fit for the tournament.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in Slovakia, forming a formidable partnership in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who himself has excelled for the senior side under the national coach.
And he has started the current campaign just as strongly for his club, featuring in all matches to help them to the top five in the table.
“To play for the national team would be among the most special occasions of my career,” the player stated recently.
“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to keep progressing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, getting better day on day, and with luck I catch the eye of the national coach and earn an opportunity.”
