Back when Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager at the time predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”
That statement turned out to be something of an understatement.
Today aged 22 and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the midfielder has earned his maiden call-up to the full England squad.
His rise from non-league prodigy to possible international star is a true blast from the past, a story rarely seen in the modern era.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“Back then, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, let alone playing in the Premier League and representing the national team too,” Scott said previously.
“It’s been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and things have transformed drastically for myself and my family.”
But in what way did Alex Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up at this level?
Learning in the lower tiers
Scott’s path in football has been far from a typical one.
He was part of four and a half years in Southampton’s youth system starting at eight, skipping school every Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could train and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before his 13th birthday, however, they decided to let him go. The Cherries were willing to offer him an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he opted to remain on Guernsey and play for his local team.
“My form had dipped and flying over every week was becoming a bit too much,” he recalled.
“I just wanted to relax at my home with my mates at the weekend because I had missed nearly several years of that experience. Getting that slice of youth back was something I definitely required.
“Building a bit of self-belief by returning and taking part in local football was massive for me. It was probably the most crucial factors that led me to this point.”
When he was just 16, Scott became the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a 57th-minute replacement in their Isthmian League fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” manager the coach commented back then.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the way he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
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 promising start in adult football and gave him a trial in December 2019.
“It was chaos,” said the player. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the second day I was with the first team, which was a complete surprise.
“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in London, travelled back and by Friday, I played for the youth team and netted a three goals. It was almost a certainty for me to sign a contract.”
In just 18 months, even well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against Luton.
He went on to make eighty-three league outings for the Robins while still a teenager, often being used as a wing-back – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
With his ability to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and England playmaker Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the EFL Championship’s best young player award, was selected in the league’s best XI and was voted the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“No doubt, I believe he will represent his country and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the sport,” his former manager, Scott’s manager at the club, remarked last year.
Less than three months later, he joined Bournemouth for a reported transfer fee of £25m.
Securing his major transfer
Scott experienced a difficult first season with the Cherries, waiting until October to earn his top-flight debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the team.
His following season was just as affected, this time by a surgery which sidelined him for almost several months.
“There was quite a good run at the close of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained he.
“It was almost another setback and it was turning out to be quite a terrible start for the first five months.”
But he was then called up by the national team 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 claimed victory in the competition in the host nation, developing a strong understanding in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who himself has excelled for the senior side with the national coach.
And he has started this season just as impressively for his club, playing in all matches to help them to the top five in the standings.
“Representing the national team would be among the most special occasions of my career,” the player said recently.
“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to keep progressing as a footballer, keep enjoying football, improving day on day, and with luck I catch the eye of the England manager and earn an opportunity.”
