When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his coach at the time assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
That statement proved to be something of an understatement.
Now 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his maiden call-up to the senior Three Lions team.
His rise from non-league prodigy to possible England player is a proper throwback, a journey seldom seen in the modern game.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, let alone featuring in the top division and representing the national team as well,” the player stated in a recent interview.
“It has been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and things have changed drastically for me and my family.”
So in what way did Alex Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself at this level?
Developing in the lower tiers
His path in football has been far from a typical one.
He was part of over four years in Southampton’s academy setup from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to travel by air from his island home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before he turned 13, however, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an option and he remained with them for a time, but, as he later admitted, his heart was not in it.
Instead, he chose to stay on the island and play for his local team.
“My form had dipped and flying over weekly was becoming overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to relax at my home with my mates at the weekend because I had missed almost several years of that experience. To have that little bit of youth back was something I definitely needed.
“To gain a bit of self-belief by returning and playing island football was massive for me. It was probably the most crucial factors that led me to this point.”
When he was just 16, Scott became the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the team because his talent is obvious,” manager Tony Vance stated back then.
“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is exceptional, the way he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Championship side the Robins – chaired by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s early progress after an promising beginning in adult football and arranged a trial in December 2019.
“The whole experience was chaos,” said the player. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the next day I trained with the first team, which was a complete surprise.
“Midweek I played for his local side in London, travelled back and by Friday, I played for the youth team and netted a hat-trick. From that point a done deal for me to sign a deal.”
In just a year and a half, even well before his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut against Luton.
Scott made 83 league appearances for the club while still a teenager, frequently being deployed as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was their best player.
With his ability to drive the ball forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to City and England attacking midfielder 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 named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I think he’ll play for his country and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the game,” his former manager, the player’s boss at Ashton Gate, stated last year.
Less than three months later, he joined Bournemouth for a understood transfer fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his big move
Scott endured a difficult first season with the club, waiting until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the team.
His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost four months.
“There was quite a good run at the end of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained he.
“It was yet another setback and it was turning out to be a pretty bad year for the first half.”
But he was then called up by England for the U21 Euros – and managed to get himself fit in time.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they claimed victory in the tournament in Slovakia, forming a strong understanding in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side under the national coach.
And he has begun the current campaign just as impressively for Bournemouth, playing in all matches to guide them to fifth in the standings.
“To play for 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 the game, getting better every day, and hopefully I impress the England manager and get my chance.”
