Back when the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 fans in 2019, his coach at the time assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”
This prediction turned out to be a bit of an understatement.
Today 22 years old and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has earned his maiden call-up to the senior Three Lions squad.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to potential international star is a true blast from the past, a journey seldom seen in the modern era.
Next stop? The World Cup?
“Back then, 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’s been a crazy 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 affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?
Learning in non-league
His football journey has been far from a conventional one.
He spent over four years in Southampton’s youth system starting at eight, skipping school every Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before 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 was not in it.
Instead, he chose to stay on the island and play for his hometown club.
“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over every week was becoming a bit too much,” he recalled.
“All I desired to chill at home with my mates at the weekend because I missed nearly several years of that experience. To have that little bit of youth back was something I definitely needed.
“Building a bit of confidence by returning and taking part in local football was massive for me. It was perhaps one of the most important things that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager became the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a 57th-minute substitute in their Isthmian League fixture at the opposition.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could get him in the side because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance stated at the time.
“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
Second-tier club the Robins – chaired by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an promising beginning in men’s football and gave him a try-out in December 2019.
“It was chaos,” said the player. “The first day I joined 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 on the Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a hat-trick. From that point a certainty for me to sign a contract.”
Within 18 months, even well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against the Hatters.
Scott made 83 league appearances for the Robins while still a teenager, frequently being deployed as a wide defender – and sometimes in attack as a number 10 – such was his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his ability to drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and England playmaker Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he won the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was selected in the division’s best XI and was voted the club’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I believe he will represent his country and I’m sure he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at Ashton Gate, stated previously.
Within three months later, he signed for the Cherries for a understood transfer fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his big move
The midfielder experienced a challenging first season with the Cherries, having to wait until the autumn to earn his Premier League debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then being inconsistent of the team.
His following season was equally disrupted, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for nearly four months.
“I had quite a good run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained he.
“That felt like almost another setback and the year was turning out to be quite a terrible start for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by England for the U21 Euros – and managed to get himself fit in time.
He went on to start five of the England U21s’ six games as they went on to win the competition in the host nation, forming a strong partnership in the middle with his teammate, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has started the current campaign just as strongly for his club, featuring in all matches to help them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the national team would be among the most special occasions of my life,” the player said earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a player, maintain my love for the game, getting better day on day, and with luck I catch the eye of the England manager and get my chance.”