When Alex Scott made his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 fans in 2019, his coach at the time predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
That prediction proved to be a bit of an underestimation.
Now 22 years old and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the midfielder has earned his maiden summons to the full England squad.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to possible England player is a true throwback, a story rarely seen in the modern game.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, never mind playing in the Premier League and representing England too,” Scott said in a recent interview.
“It’s been a crazy five or six years of my life, and things have changed drastically for me and my family.”
So how did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, find himself here?
Developing in the lower tiers
Scott’s football journey has been far from a conventional one.
He spent 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 feature for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to he turned 13, though, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he chose to remain on the island and play for his hometown club.
“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over every week was becoming overwhelming,” he recalled.
“All I desired to relax at home with my mates at the weekend because I missed nearly several years of doing that. To have that slice of youth back was something I really required.
“To gain some confidence by returning and playing local football was huge for me. It was probably one of the most important factors that got me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, the teenager made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a 57th-minute replacement in their league match at the opposition.
“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could include him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss the coach stated back then.
“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the manner he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Second-tier club the Robins – chaired by islander their owner – had been tracking Scott’s early progress after an impressive start in men’s football and gave him a trial in late 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” said the player. “The first day I trained with the youth team, the next day I trained with the senior squad, which was a total surprise.
“On the Wednesday I played for Guernsey FC in the capital, returned home and by Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a hat-trick. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”
Within 18 months, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut against the Hatters.
Scott made eighty-three league outings for the Robins while still a teenager, frequently being deployed as a wide defender – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his ability to carry the ball forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and national team attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the second tier’s best young player honour, was chosen in the division’s best XI and was named the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I think he’ll play for England and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s manager at Ashton Gate, stated last year.
Within three months later, he signed for Bournemouth for a reported transfer fee of £25m.
Getting his big move
The midfielder experienced a challenging debut campaign with the club, waiting until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then finding himself in and out of the starting XI.
His following season was equally affected, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for nearly four months.
“There was a decent run at the end of last season, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained he.
“That felt like yet another obstacle and it was shaping up as quite a terrible year for the first five months.”
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 England U21s’ six matches as they claimed victory in the tournament in Slovakia, developing a formidable partnership in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has excelled for the senior side with the national coach.
And he has begun this season just as impressively for his club, playing in every game to guide them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the national team would be one of the proudest occasions of my career,” the player stated earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a player, keep enjoying the game, getting better day on day, and with luck I catch the eye of the England manager and earn an opportunity.”
