When Alex Scott made his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach back then predicted, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”
That statement proved to be something of an understatement.
Now 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has just received his first call-up to the senior Three Lions squad.
His ascent from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a true blast from the past, a journey rarely told in the modern era.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, let alone playing in the Premier League and playing for England as well,” Scott said in a recent interview.
“It’s been a incredible five or six years of my life, and things have changed drastically for myself and my loved ones.”
But how did Alex Scott, known fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, find himself at this level?
Developing in non-league
Scott’s path in football has not been a typical one.
He was part of over four years in Southampton’s youth system from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to travel by air from his island home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could train and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they released him. The Cherries were willing to offer Scott an option and he remained with them for a while, but, as he later admitted, his mind 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 flying over every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to relax at home with my mates at the weekend because I had missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. Getting that slice of youth again was a thing I really required.
“To gain a bit of confidence by returning and taking part in local football was massive for me. It was probably the most crucial things that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager became the youngest player in the club’s records when he came on as a 57th-minute replacement in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could include him in the side because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance commented at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is exceptional, the manner he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Championship side the Robins – chaired by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s early progress after an promising start in men’s football and gave him a try-out in late 2019.
“It was hectic,” said the player. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the second day I trained with the first team, which was a total shock.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in the capital, travelled back and on the Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a hat-trick. From that point a done deal for me to sign a contract.”
Within a year and a half, even well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his first-team debut against Luton.
Scott made 83 league outings for the club while still a teenager, frequently being deployed as a wide defender – and occasionally in attack as a number 10 – demonstrating his adaptability and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his skill to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to City and national team attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he claimed the EFL Championship’s best young player honour, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was named the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I believe he’ll play for England and I think he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the sport,” his former manager, Scott’s manager at Ashton Gate, stated last year.
Less than three months after, he joined Bournemouth for a reported fee of £25m.
Securing his major transfer
The midfielder experienced a difficult first season with the Cherries, waiting until October to make his Premier League debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the starting XI.
His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost several months.
“There was a decent run at the close of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained he.
“That felt like almost another obstacle and it was shaping up as quite a terrible year for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by England for the U21 Euros – and managed to regain fitness in time.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, forming a strong partnership in the middle with his teammate, who in turn has gone on to impress for the senior side under the national coach.
And he has begun the current campaign equally as strongly for his club, playing in every game to help them to the top five in the standings.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my life,” Scott stated earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, improving every day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the England manager and get my chance.”
