Back when Alex Scott made his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports before just 55 spectators in 2019, his manager at the time assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”
That prediction proved to be something of an understatement.
Now aged 22 and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the playmaker has just received his maiden call-up to the senior Three Lions squad.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to possible England player is a true blast from the past, a journey seldom seen in the modern game.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“In my mind, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, let alone playing in the top division and representing the national team too,” the player said in a recent interview.
“It has been a crazy five or six years of my life, and circumstances have changed completely for me and my loved ones.”
So in what way did Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?
Developing in non-league
His path in football 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 fly from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could attend training and feature for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an option 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 play for his local team.
“My form had dipped and flying over weekly was becoming overwhelming,” he recalled.
“I just wanted to chill at home with my mates at weekends because I missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. Getting that slice of childhood again was a thing I definitely needed.
“Building some confidence by returning and taking part in local football was massive for me. It was perhaps the most crucial things that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he was introduced as a second-half replacement in their league fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss the coach stated at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s a class act.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Championship side Bristol City – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an promising beginning in men’s football and gave him a trial in December 2019.
“It was hectic,” recalled Scott. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the next day I was with the senior squad, which was a total shock.
“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and on the Friday, I took the field for the youth team and netted a hat-trick. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”
Within a year and a half, even well before his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut against the Hatters.
He made 83 league appearances for the club while in his teens, often being used as a wide defender – and sometimes in attack as a attacking midfielder – such was his adaptability and versatility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
With his ability to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to City and England playmaker Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s best young player award, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was voted the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I believe he’ll play for England and I think he will progress to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s boss at the club, remarked last year.
Within 90 days later, he joined the Cherries for a understood fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his big move
Scott experienced a challenging first season with the Cherries, having to wait until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the team.
His following season was just as disrupted, this time by a surgery which sidelined him for almost several months.
“I had a decent run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said Scott.
“It was almost another obstacle and the year was turning out to be quite a terrible year for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by England for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in regain fitness in time.
He started five of the England U21s’ six matches as they claimed victory in the tournament in the host nation, developing a formidable partnership in the middle with Elliot Anderson, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side under Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun this season just as strongly for Bournemouth, featuring in all matches to help them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special occasions of my life,” the player stated recently.
“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to continue developing as a footballer, keep enjoying football, getting better day on day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the England manager and earn an opportunity.”
