When Alex Scott made his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 spectators in 2019, his manager at the time predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”
This statement turned out to be something of an underestimation.
Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the playmaker has just received his first summons to the full Three Lions squad.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to potential England player is a true throwback, a story seldom seen in the modern game.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“Back then, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, let alone playing in the Premier League and representing England as well,” the player said in a recent interview.
“It’s been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for me and my family.”
But in what way did Alex Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, find himself at this level?
Developing in the lower tiers
His path in football has not been a typical one.
He was part of over four years in the Saints’ youth system from the age of eight, skipping school each Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could train and play for the club’s academy sides.
Before he turned 13, though, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an opportunity and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind was not in it.
Instead, he opted to stay on Guernsey and play for his local team.
“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over every week was becoming overwhelming,” he recalled.
“All I desired to chill at my home with my friends at the weekend because I missed almost several years of that experience. Getting that slice of childhood back was a thing I definitely required.
“Building some self-belief by coming back and playing local football was huge for me. That proved to be probably one of the most important factors that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a 57th-minute replacement in their Isthmian League fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could include him in the side because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance stated back then.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s a class act.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Second-tier club Bristol City – chaired by islander their owner – had been monitoring his early progress after an promising beginning in adult football and gave him a trial in December 2019.
“The whole experience was chaos,” said Scott. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the second day I was with the senior squad, which was a complete shock.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in the capital, travelled back and by Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a three goals. It was almost a done deal for me to sign a contract.”
Within a year and a half, still well before his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut versus the Hatters.
Scott went on to make 83 league appearances for the Robins while still a teenager, frequently being used as a wide defender – and occasionally in attack as a number 10 – such was his versatility and flexibility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was their best player.
Thanks to his ability to drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to City and national team playmaker Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the EFL Championship’s best young player honour, was chosen in the league’s best XI and was voted Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I think he’ll play for his country and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the sport,” his former manager, Scott’s manager at Ashton Gate, remarked previously.
Less than 90 days after, he signed for the Cherries for a understood transfer fee of £25m.
Securing his big move
Scott endured a challenging first season with the club, waiting until the autumn to earn his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the starting XI.
His following season was just as affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost several months.
“There was a decent run at the close of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said Scott.
“That felt like yet another setback and it was shaping up as quite a terrible start for the first half.”
But he was then selected by England for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in regain fitness for the tournament.
He started five of the England U21s’ six matches as they went on to win the competition in the host nation, developing a strong understanding in the middle with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the first team with the national coach.
And he has begun this season equally as impressively for Bournemouth, playing in all matches to guide them to the top five in the standings.
“Representing the national team would be among the most special occasions of my career,” Scott said earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to continue developing as a player, maintain my love for football, getting better day on day, and with luck I impress the England manager and earn an opportunity.”
