Back when the young midfielder made his local team debut against Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his coach back then assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
That prediction proved to be something of an understatement.
Today aged 22 and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has just received his first summons to the senior Three Lions team.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a true throwback, a story rarely told in the modern game.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“In my mind, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, let alone featuring in the Premier League and representing England too,” Scott stated in a recent interview.
“It has been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have changed completely for me and my loved ones.”
So in what way did Alex Scott, known fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up here?
Learning in non-league
His football journey has been far from a conventional one.
He spent over four years in Southampton’s academy setup starting at eight, skipping school each Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could train and play for the club’s academy sides.
Before he turned 13, however, they released him. The Cherries gave Scott an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind wasn’t fully committed.
Instead, he chose to remain on the island and turn out for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and flying over every week was becoming a bit too much,” he explained.
“I just wanted to relax at my home with my mates at the weekend because I missed almost several years of doing that. Getting that slice of youth again was a thing I really required.
“Building a bit of self-belief by returning and taking part in island football was huge for me. It was perhaps one of the most important factors that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, Scott made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could include him in the side because he’s that good,” manager Tony Vance commented at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the way he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Championship side Bristol City – owned by islander their owner – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an impressive start in men’s football and arranged a try-out in late 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” recalled the player. “Day one I joined the youth team, the second day I trained with the senior squad, which was a complete surprise.
“Midweek I featured for his local side in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to sign a contract.”
In just 18 months, even well before his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut versus the Hatters.
He made 83 league outings for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being used as a wing-back – and sometimes further forward as a attacking midfielder – such was his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his skill to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to City and national team playmaker Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he won the EFL Championship’s best young player award, was chosen in the division’s team of the year and was voted Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I think he will represent his country and I think he’ll go on to the top of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s boss at the club, stated last year.
Less than 90 days after, he joined the Cherries for a understood fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his big move
The midfielder experienced a challenging debut campaign with the club, having to wait until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then finding himself inconsistent of the team.
His second campaign was just as disrupted, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for nearly four months.
“I had quite a good run at the end of last season, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” said Scott.
“That felt like almost another obstacle and it was shaping up as quite a terrible start for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they went on to win the competition in the host nation, forming a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the senior side with the national coach.
And he has started the current campaign equally as strongly for his club, featuring in every game to guide them to the top five in the table.
“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” the player stated earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to keep progressing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, improving every day, and with luck I catch the eye of the national coach and get my chance.”
