Back when Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 fans 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.
Now 22 years old and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has earned his maiden call-up to the senior Three Lions team.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to possible international star is a true blast from the past, a story rarely seen in the modern game.
Next stop? The World Cup?
“In my mind, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the Premier League and playing for England as well,” the player said previously.
“It has been a crazy five or six years of my life, and circumstances have transformed drastically for myself and my loved ones.”
So in what way did Alex Scott, known fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself at this level?
Learning in the lower tiers
His football journey has not been a typical one.
He was part of four and a half years in the Saints’ academy setup from the age of eight, leaving school early each Friday to travel by air from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could attend training and feature for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they released him. Bournemouth gave him an option and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he chose to stay on the island and turn out for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and traveling every week was becoming a bit too much,” he recalled.
“I just wanted to chill at home with my mates at weekends because I had missed almost four and a half years of that experience. To have that little bit of childhood back was something I definitely required.
“Building a bit of confidence by coming back and taking part in island football was massive for me. That proved to be perhaps one of the most important factors that led me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, Scott made history as the youngest player in the club’s records when he came on as a 57th-minute replacement in their league fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the side because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss the coach stated at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Second-tier club Bristol City – chaired by islander their owner – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an promising beginning in adult football and gave him a try-out in December 2019.
“It was chaos,” said Scott. “The first day I trained with the under-18s, the next day I trained with the first team, which was a complete surprise.
“On the Wednesday I played for Guernsey FC in the capital, travelled back and on the Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a hat-trick. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”
In just a year and a half, still well before his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut versus the Hatters.
He went on to make eighty-three league outings for the Robins while in his teens, often being used as a wide defender – and sometimes further forward as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his skill to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and national team attacking midfielder Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the EFL Championship’s best young player honour, was selected in the division’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I believe he’ll play for England and I think he will progress to the top of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at the club, stated last year.
Less than 90 days later, he joined Bournemouth for a reported transfer fee of £25m.
Getting his major transfer
The midfielder endured a difficult first season with the club, having to wait until October to earn his top-flight debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then finding himself inconsistent of the team.
His following season was just as affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost several months.
“There was a decent run at the end of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” said he.
“That felt like yet another obstacle and it was turning out to be quite a terrible year for the first half.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, developing a formidable understanding in the middle with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the senior side under the national coach.
And he has started this season equally as impressively for Bournemouth, featuring in all matches to help them to the top five in the standings.
“Representing the national team would be one of the proudest moments of my life,” the player stated recently.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to keep progressing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, getting better day on day, and with luck I impress the England manager and get my chance.”
