Back when Alex Scott made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach back then assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
That statement turned out to be something of an understatement.
Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the midfielder has earned his first summons to the senior Three Lions team.
His ascent from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a proper throwback, a journey seldom seen in the modern game.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“In my mind, there was no chance of making it as a professional football player, never mind featuring in the top division and playing for England as well,” Scott said in a recent interview.
“It has been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have changed completely for me and my family.”
But how did Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?
Developing in the lower tiers
Scott’s path in football has not been a typical one.
He spent four and a half years in the Saints’ youth system starting at eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to he turned 13, though, they released him. Bournemouth gave Scott an option and he remained with them for a while, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Instead, he opted to remain on the island and turn out for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and traveling weekly was becoming a bit too much,” he recalled.
“All I desired to relax at home with my friends at the weekend because I had missed nearly several years of doing that. Getting that slice of childhood again was a thing I definitely required.
“To gain some self-belief by returning and playing island football was huge for me. That proved to be probably one of the most important things that led me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager became the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a 57th-minute replacement in their league match at Phoenix Sports.
“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could include him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance commented at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is exceptional, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Championship side Bristol City – chaired by islander Steve Lansdown – had been tracking his early progress after an impressive beginning in adult football and arranged a trial in December 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” recalled the player. “Day one I joined the youth team, the next day I trained with the senior squad, which was a total shock.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in the capital, travelled back and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. It was almost a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”
In just 18 months, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus the Hatters.
Scott went on to make 83 league appearances for the club while still a teenager, often being deployed as a wide defender – and sometimes further forward as a number 10 – demonstrating his adaptability and flexibility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was their best player.
With his ability to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to City and England playmaker Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the EFL Championship’s young player of the season honour, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I believe he’ll play for England and I think he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the sport,” his former manager, the player’s boss at the club, remarked last year.
Less than 90 days later, he signed for the Cherries for a reported transfer fee of £25m.
Securing his big move
The midfielder experienced a challenging first season with the Cherries, waiting until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the team.
His second campaign was just as affected, this time by a surgery which sidelined him for almost several 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 yet another obstacle and it was shaping up as quite a terrible start for the first half.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit in time.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in Slovakia, developing a formidable partnership in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun the current campaign equally as impressively for his club, playing in every game to guide them to the top five in the standings.
“Representing the England senior team would be one of the proudest moments of my career,” Scott said earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to continue developing as a footballer, maintain my love for the game, improving day on day, and hopefully I impress the England manager and earn an opportunity.”
