When Alex Scott made his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager back then assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
That statement proved to be a bit of an understatement.
Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the midfielder has earned his maiden summons to the senior Three Lions squad.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a proper blast from the past, a journey rarely seen in the modern game.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, let alone playing in the top division and playing for the national team too,” the player stated in a recent interview.
“It’s been a crazy 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?
Learning in non-league
Scott’s football journey has not been a typical one.
He was part of four and a half years in the Saints’ academy setup starting at eight, skipping school every Friday to travel by air from his island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to he turned 13, though, they decided to let him go. The Cherries gave him an opportunity and he remained with them for a while, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind was not in it.
Instead, he opted to remain on the island and play for his local team.
“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over weekly was becoming a bit too much,” he explained.
“I just wanted to relax at home with my friends at the weekend because I missed almost several years of that experience. Getting that slice of childhood again was a thing I really needed.
“Building a bit of confidence by coming back and playing local 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, Scott made history as the youngest player in the club’s records when he was introduced as a 57th-minute replacement in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.
“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the team because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss the coach commented back then.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Championship side Bristol City – chaired by Guernsey resident their owner – had been tracking his early progress after an impressive beginning in men’s football and arranged a trial in December 2019.
“It was chaos,” said the player. “The first day I joined the youth team, the second day I trained with the first team, which was a complete surprise.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a hat-trick. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”
Within 18 months, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut versus Luton.
He made eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while still a teenager, frequently being used as a wide defender – and sometimes further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his ability to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and national team playmaker Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he claimed the EFL Championship’s best young player award, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I think he will represent his country and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the sport,” his former manager, the player’s boss at the club, remarked previously.
Less than 90 days after, he joined Bournemouth for a reported transfer fee of £25m.
Securing his major transfer
Scott experienced a challenging debut campaign with the club, waiting until the autumn to earn his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself in and out of the starting XI.
His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost four months.
“I had quite a good run at the end of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.
“That felt like yet another setback and the year was turning out to be a pretty bad start for the first half.”
But he was then called up by the national team for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in regain fitness in time.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they went on to win the competition in Slovakia, forming a formidable partnership in midfield 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 just as impressively for his club, featuring in all matches to guide them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the England senior team would be one of the proudest occasions of my life,” the player stated recently.
“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, improving day on day, and hopefully I impress the England manager and earn an opportunity.”
