Back when Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his manager back then predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
This statement proved to be something of an understatement.
Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the midfielder has just received his first call-up to the full Three Lions squad.
His rise from non-league prodigy to potential England player is a proper throwback, a story rarely seen in the modern era.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, never mind playing in the Premier League and representing the national team too,” Scott 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 loved ones.”
But in what way did Scott, known affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up here?
Learning in the lower tiers
His path in football has not been a typical one.
He was part of over four years in the Saints’ academy setup from the age of eight, skipping school each Friday to travel by air from his island home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could train and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to he turned 13, though, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer 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 opted to stay on Guernsey and turn out for his hometown club.
“I wasn’t playing very well 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 missed almost four and a half years of that experience. To have that little bit of childhood again was something I really required.
“Building some confidence by returning and playing island football was massive for me. That proved to be perhaps the most crucial factors that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, Scott became the youngest player in the club’s records when he came on as a second-half replacement in their Isthmian League fixture at the opposition.
“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.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Second-tier club the Robins – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been tracking his early progress after an promising start in adult football and arranged a try-out in December 2019.
“It was chaos,” said Scott. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the next day I trained with the senior squad, which was a total shock.
“Midweek I featured for his local side in the capital, travelled back and by Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”
In just a year and a half, still well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus Luton.
Scott went on to make eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being used as a wide defender – and sometimes in attack as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his adaptability and flexibility. 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 picked up the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and national team attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the second tier’s best young player award, was chosen in the division’s team of the year and was named the club’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I believe he’ll play for England and I think he’ll go on to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s manager at the club, stated previously.
Within three months after, he signed for Bournemouth for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his major transfer
Scott endured a difficult debut campaign with the club, waiting until October to earn his top-flight debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then finding himself in and out of the team.
His second campaign was just as affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost several months.
“I had quite a good run at the end of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained he.
“That felt like almost another obstacle and the year was turning out to be quite a terrible year for the first five months.”
But he was then called up by the national team for the U21 Euros – and managed to get himself fit in time.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they claimed victory in the competition in the host nation, forming a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the first team under Thomas Tuchel.
And he has started this season equally as strongly for his club, playing in every game to guide them to fifth in the table.
“Representing the national team would be among the most special moments of my career,” the player said recently.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to keep progressing as a player, maintain my love for the game, improving every day, and with luck I catch the eye of the England manager and get my chance.”
