Back when the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut against Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager at the time assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”
That statement proved to be a bit of an underestimation.
Now aged 22 and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the midfielder has just received his first summons to the senior England squad.
His rise from non-league prodigy to possible international star is a true throwback, a journey rarely seen in the modern game.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“In my mind, there was no chance of becoming a professional football player, let alone playing in the Premier League and representing the national team as well,” the player stated in a recent interview.
“It’s been a incredible five or six years of my life, and things have changed completely for me and my family.”
So in what way did Alex Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?
Learning in non-league
His football journey has not been a conventional one.
He spent over four years in the Saints’ youth system starting at eight, skipping school each Friday to travel by air from his island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before his 13th birthday, though, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an opportunity and he remained with them for a while, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he opted to remain on the island and turn out for his local team.
“My form had dipped and flying over weekly was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.
“All I desired to relax at home with my mates at weekends because I missed almost several years of doing that. To have that slice of youth again was something I really needed.
“To gain a bit of self-belief by coming back and playing island football was massive for me. It was perhaps one of the most important things that led me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, Scott became the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a second-half replacement in their Isthmian League fixture at the opposition.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss the coach commented back then.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the way he runs with the ball, he’s a class act.”
Returning to the professional game
Championship side Bristol City – owned by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been tracking Scott’s early progress after an impressive start in men’s football and arranged a try-out in December 2019.
“It was hectic,” said the player. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the second day I was with the first team, which was a total surprise.
“On the Wednesday I featured for Guernsey FC in the capital, 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 contract.”
In just 18 months, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut versus Luton.
Scott went on to make 83 league outings for the Robins while in his teens, often being deployed as a wing-back – and sometimes further forward as a number 10 – such was his versatility and flexibility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
With his ability to carry 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 Manchester City and national team playmaker Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he won the EFL Championship’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the division’s best XI and was voted the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I think he will represent England and I’m sure he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s manager at the club, remarked previously.
Within three months after, he signed for Bournemouth for a reported fee of £25m.
Getting his big move
Scott experienced a challenging first season with the Cherries, having to wait until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then being inconsistent of the starting XI.
His second campaign was just as disrupted, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost several months.
“There was a decent run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.
“That felt like almost another obstacle and it was shaping up as 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 succeeded in 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 understanding in the middle with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the senior side under Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun this season just as strongly for Bournemouth, featuring in every game to help them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the England senior team would be one of the proudest occasions of my life,” the player said earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to continue developing as a player, maintain my love for football, getting better every day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the national coach and get my chance.”
