When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager back then assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”
That statement proved to be something of an underestimation.
Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the midfielder has earned his maiden summons to the senior Three Lions squad.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to possible England player is a true throwback, a story rarely seen in the modern era.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, never mind playing in the top division and representing the national team too,” Scott said previously.
“It has been a crazy five or six years of my life, and circumstances have changed completely for me and my family.”
But in what way did Alex Scott, known affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up here?
Learning in the lower tiers
His path in football has been far from a typical one.
He was part of over four years in Southampton’s youth system starting at eight, leaving school early each Friday to travel by air from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could train and play for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they released him. The Cherries 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 opted to stay on Guernsey and play 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 friends at weekends because I had missed almost several years of doing that. To have that slice of childhood again was something I definitely required.
“To gain a bit of self-belief by returning and taking part in local football was massive for me. That proved to be probably one of the most important things that got me to this point.”
At the age of 16, Scott became 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’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the team because his talent is obvious,” manager the coach commented back then.
“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Second-tier club the Robins – chaired by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been tracking Scott’s development after an impressive beginning in men’s football and arranged a trial in late 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” said Scott. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the second day I was with the first team, which was a complete shock.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and by Friday, I took the field for the youth team and scored a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to sign a deal.”
In just 18 months, even well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus the Hatters.
He made 83 league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, often being used as a wide defender – and occasionally 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.
Thanks to his ability to drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to City and national team attacking midfielder Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s best young player honour, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was named the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I believe he’ll play for England and I think he’ll go on to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s boss at the club, remarked previously.
Within 90 days after, he joined Bournemouth for a understood fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his major transfer
Scott experienced a challenging debut campaign with the club, having to wait until October to make his Premier League debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then being in and out of the team.
His following season was equally disrupted, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for nearly four months.
“I had a decent run at the end of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained he.
“It was yet another obstacle and the year was turning out to be a pretty bad start for the first half.”
But he was then called up by England for the U21 Euros – and managed to regain fitness in time.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they went on to win the tournament in Slovakia, developing a formidable understanding in midfield with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun this season equally as impressively for his club, featuring in all matches to help them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the national team would be one of the proudest moments of my life,” Scott said recently.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to continue developing as a player, keep enjoying football, improving day on day, and hopefully I impress the national coach and get my chance.”
