Back when Alex Scott made his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports before just 55 fans in 2019, his manager back then assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”
That prediction turned out to be something of an underestimation.
Today 22 years old and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has just received his first call-up to the senior Three Lions squad.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to potential international star is a proper blast from the past, a journey rarely seen in the modern game.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the Premier League and representing England too,” Scott stated previously.
“It’s been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and things have transformed completely for me and my loved ones.”
But in what way did Alex Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up at this level?
Learning in the lower tiers
His path in football has been far from a typical one.
He spent over four years in Southampton’s youth system starting at eight, skipping school each Friday to fly from his island home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an opportunity and he remained with them for a while, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he opted to stay on Guernsey and play for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and flying over weekly was becoming a bit too much,” he recalled.
“I just wanted to chill at home with my friends at the weekend because I had missed nearly several years of doing that. Getting that little bit of youth back was something I definitely required.
“To gain a bit of confidence by returning and taking part in local football was massive for me. That proved to be perhaps the most crucial things that got me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, Scott became the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a 57th-minute replacement in their Isthmian League match at Phoenix Sports.
“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the team because his talent is obvious,” manager the coach stated back then.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Second-tier club Bristol City – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been monitoring his early progress after an impressive start in men’s football and gave him a try-out in December 2019.
“It was chaos,” recalled Scott. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the second day I trained with the first team, which was a complete surprise.
“On the Wednesday I featured for his local side in London, travelled back and by Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to sign a contract.”
Within 18 months, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut versus Luton.
Scott made 83 league appearances for the club while still a teenager, often being used as a wing-back – and sometimes further forward as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was their best player.
With his ability to drive the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to City and national team attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the league’s best XI and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I believe he’ll play for England and I think he will progress to the top of the sport,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at the club, stated last year.
Less than three months later, he joined the Cherries for a reported transfer fee of £25m.
Getting his major transfer
The midfielder experienced a challenging first season with the club, waiting until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the team.
His following season was just as disrupted, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost several months.
“I had quite a good run at the end of last season, which was nice to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained he.
“That felt like yet another setback and it was turning out to be quite a terrible start for the first half.”
But he was then selected by England for the U21 Euros – and managed to get himself fit for the tournament.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they claimed victory in the tournament in Slovakia, developing a formidable understanding in midfield with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the first team under the national coach.
And he has begun this season just as impressively for his club, playing in all matches to help them to the top five in the standings.
“To play for the England senior team would be one of the proudest occasions of my life,” the player stated earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I must keep progressing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, getting better every day, and with luck I catch the eye of the England manager and get my chance.”
