Back when the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports before just 55 spectators in 2019, his manager at the time predicted, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”
This prediction turned out to be a bit of an understatement.
Now 22 years old and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the midfielder has earned his maiden call-up to the full Three Lions team.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to possible international star is a proper throwback, a story seldom seen in the modern game.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“In my mind, there was zero possibility of becoming a pro footballer, let alone featuring in the Premier League and playing for England as well,” the player said previously.
“It has been a incredible five or six years of my life, and circumstances have transformed drastically for me and my loved ones.”
So in what way did Alex Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself here?
Developing in the lower tiers
His football journey has been far from a typical one.
He was part of four and a half years in the Saints’ academy setup starting at eight, skipping school each Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they decided to let him go. The Cherries gave Scott an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a while, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he chose to remain on the island and turn out for his local team.
“My form had dipped and flying over every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he recalled.
“All I desired to chill at home with my friends at weekends because I had missed nearly several years of doing that. Getting that slice of youth back was something I really needed.
“Building a bit of confidence by returning and taking part in island football was huge for me. That proved to be probably the most crucial things that led me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a second-half replacement in their Isthmian League match at Phoenix Sports.
“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring 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 exceptional, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Championship side Bristol City – chaired by Guernsey resident their owner – had been monitoring Scott’s early progress after an promising start in men’s football and arranged a trial in December 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” said Scott. “Day one I joined the youth team, the next day I trained with the senior squad, which was a complete shock.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in the capital, returned home and on the Friday, I took the field for the youth team and netted a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to sign a contract.”
Within a year and a half, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus the Hatters.
He went on to make eighty-three league outings for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being deployed as a wide defender – and sometimes in attack as a attacking midfielder – such was his adaptability and versatility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was their best player.
Thanks to his skill to drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and England playmaker Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was selected in the division’s team of the year and was voted Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.
“No doubt, I think he will represent his country and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at Ashton Gate, remarked previously.
Within 90 days later, he signed for Bournemouth for a understood transfer fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his big move
Scott endured a challenging debut campaign with the Cherries, waiting until the autumn to make his top-flight debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then being in and out of the team.
His following season was just as disrupted, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for nearly several months.
“I had quite a good run at the close of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained he.
“That felt like almost another setback and it was turning out to be quite a terrible start for the first half.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in regain fitness for the tournament.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six games as they claimed victory in the tournament in Slovakia, developing a formidable partnership in the middle with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the first team with the national coach.
And he has begun the current campaign just as impressively for Bournemouth, featuring in all matches to guide them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the national team would be among the most special moments of my career,” Scott said earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I must continue developing as a player, maintain my love for football, getting better day on day, and with luck I impress the national coach and earn an opportunity.”
