When the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager back then assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”
This statement turned out to be a bit of an understatement.
Now 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the midfielder has just received his maiden call-up to the full England team.
His ascent from eighth-tier talent to potential international star is a true blast from the past, a journey seldom told in the modern game.
Next stop? The World Cup?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, never mind playing in the top division and playing for the national team too,” Scott stated previously.
“It has been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have changed completely for myself and my loved ones.”
So in what way did Alex Scott, known affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up here?
Developing in the lower tiers
Scott’s football journey has been far from a typical one.
He was part of over four years in the Saints’ academy setup starting at eight, leaving school early each Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could train and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to he turned 13, though, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind was not in it.
Instead, he chose to remain on the island and turn out for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and flying over weekly was starting to feel overwhelming,” he recalled.
“All I desired to chill at home with my mates at weekends because I missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. Getting that slice of youth again was something I definitely needed.
“To gain some confidence by coming back and taking part in local football was huge for me. That proved to be perhaps one of the most important things that got me to this point.”
At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.
“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” manager the coach commented at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the way he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Championship side Bristol City – owned by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s early progress after an promising beginning in men’s football and gave him a trial in late 2019.
“The whole experience was chaos,” recalled Scott. “The first day I joined the under-18s, the second day I trained with the first team, which was a total surprise.
“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and by Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a three goals. It was almost a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”
In just 18 months, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus 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 sometimes in attack as a number 10 – demonstrating his adaptability and flexibility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
With his ability to drive the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to City and England playmaker Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he claimed the EFL Championship’s best young player award, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I believe he will represent England and I think he will progress to the pinnacle of the game,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s boss at Ashton Gate, stated last year.
Less than 90 days later, he signed for the Cherries for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his major transfer
The midfielder endured a challenging debut campaign with the club, having to wait until the autumn to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then finding himself inconsistent of the starting XI.
His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost several months.
“I had quite a good run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained Scott.
“That felt like almost another setback and it was shaping up as quite a terrible start for the first half.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six games as they claimed victory in the tournament in the host nation, forming a strong understanding in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who himself has excelled for the senior side under the national coach.
And he has begun this season equally as strongly for his club, playing in every game to guide them to the top five in the table.
“Representing the England senior team would be one of the proudest occasions of my career,” the player said recently.
“It’s down to me, I must continue developing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, getting better every day, and with luck I impress the England manager and get my chance.”
