When the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his manager at the time predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
This statement turned out to be something of an underestimation.
Now 22 years old and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the midfielder 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 true throwback, a story seldom seen in the modern game.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“In my mind, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, never mind playing in the top division and playing for the national team as well,” the player said in a recent interview.
“It’s been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and things have transformed drastically for me and my family.”
So in what way did Alex Scott, known affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up here?
Learning in non-league
Scott’s path in football has been far from a typical one.
He spent over four years in the Saints’ academy setup from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could train and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to he turned 13, though, they decided to let him go. The Cherries were willing to offer Scott an option and he remained with them for a while, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Instead, he chose to stay on the island and turn out for his local team.
“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling weekly was starting to feel a bit too much,” he explained.
“I just wanted to relax at my home with my friends at weekends because I missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. Getting that little bit of childhood back was a thing I really required.
“Building a bit of self-belief by coming back and playing island football was massive for me. It was probably one of the most important factors that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he was introduced as a 57th-minute substitute in their league fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“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 stated at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the way he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Championship side the Robins – chaired by Guernsey resident their owner – had been monitoring Scott’s early progress after an impressive beginning in adult football and arranged a try-out in late 2019.
“It was hectic,” recalled the player. “The first day I joined the under-18s, the next day I was with the senior squad, which was a total surprise.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in the capital, returned home 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 put pen to paper on a deal.”
In just 18 months, still well before his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut versus Luton.
He went on to make eighty-three league appearances for the club while in his teens, often being used as a wide defender – and sometimes in attack as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his ability 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.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the EFL Championship’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the division’s team of the year and was voted the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I think he’ll play for his country and I think he’ll go on to the top of the sport,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at the club, stated previously.
Less than 90 days after, he signed for the Cherries for a understood transfer fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his major transfer
The midfielder endured a challenging first season with the Cherries, having to wait until October to earn his top-flight debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then being in and out of the team.
His following season was just as affected, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for almost several months.
“I had a decent run at the close of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained Scott.
“That felt like yet another obstacle and it was shaping up as quite a terrible start for the first half.”
But he was then selected by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and managed to regain fitness in time.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they claimed victory in the tournament in the host nation, forming a formidable partnership in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the first team under Thomas Tuchel.
And he has started this season just as strongly for his club, playing in every game to help them to the top five in the table.
“Representing the national team would be among the most special moments of my life,” Scott stated earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a player, maintain my love for the game, improving every day, and hopefully I impress the England manager and get my chance.”
