When Alex Scott made his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his coach at the time predicted, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”
That prediction proved to be something of an understatement.
Today 22 years old and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has just received his maiden call-up to the full Three Lions squad.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to possible England player is a true throwback, a journey seldom told in the modern game.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of becoming a pro footballer, let alone playing in the Premier League and representing England too,” Scott stated previously.
“It has been a crazy five or six years of my life, and things have transformed completely for myself and my family.”
But in what way did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?
Developing in non-league
His football journey has been far from a typical one.
He spent over four years in the Saints’ academy setup from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could attend training and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an option 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 Guernsey and play for his local team.
“My form had dipped and flying over weekly was becoming a bit too much,” he recalled.
“All I desired to relax at my home with my friends at weekends because I missed almost several years of that experience. To have that little bit of childhood back was something I really needed.
“Building some confidence by returning and playing island football was massive for me. That proved to be probably the most crucial things that got me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, the teenager became the youngest player in the club’s records when he came on as a 57th-minute substitute in their Isthmian League match at Phoenix Sports.
“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the team because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance commented at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the way he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the professional game
Championship side the Robins – chaired by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring his early progress after an impressive beginning in adult football and gave him a try-out in December 2019.
“It was chaos,” said the player. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the next day I trained with the first team, which was a total shock.
“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in London, travelled back and by Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”
In just 18 months, even well before his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut against the Hatters.
He made eighty-three league outings for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being used as a wide defender – and sometimes further forward as a number 10 – demonstrating his adaptability and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
With his skill to drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to City and national team playmaker Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the EFL Championship’s best young player honour, was selected in the division’s best XI and was voted Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I think he’ll play for England and I think he’ll go on to the top of the sport,” his former manager, the player’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked previously.
Less than 90 days after, he signed for Bournemouth for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his major transfer
The midfielder endured a difficult first season with the Cherries, having to wait until the autumn to earn his Premier League debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then finding himself inconsistent of the team.
His second campaign was just as disrupted, this time by a surgery which sidelined him for almost four months.
“I had a decent run at the end of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.
“It was yet another setback and the year 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 managed to regain fitness in time.
He started five of the England U21s’ six matches as they went on to win the tournament in Slovakia, developing a strong understanding in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has gone on to impress for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has started this season just as strongly for Bournemouth, featuring in every game to help them to the top five in the table.
“Representing the national team would be one of the proudest moments of my career,” Scott stated earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, improving every day, and hopefully I impress the national coach and get my chance.”
