When the young midfielder made his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports before just 55 fans in 2019, his manager at the time assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
This statement turned out to be something of an underestimation.
Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has earned his maiden call-up to the senior England team.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a true blast from the past, a story rarely told in the modern era.
Next stop? The World Cup?
“In my mind, there was no chance of becoming a professional football player, let alone playing in the top division and representing the national team too,” Scott stated previously.
“It’s been a incredible five or six years of my life, and things have transformed completely for me and my family.”
So how did Alex Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?
Learning in non-league
His football journey has not been a typical one.
He was part of four and a half years in Southampton’s academy setup starting at eight, leaving school early every Friday to travel by air from his island home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.
Before he turned 13, however, they released him. The Cherries were willing to offer him an opportunity and he remained with them for a while, but, as he later admitted, his heart was not in it.
Instead, he chose to stay on the island and turn out for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and flying over weekly was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.
“All I desired to chill at my home with my friends at the weekend because I had missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. To have that little bit of childhood back was a thing I really required.
“To gain some confidence by returning and taking part in island football was huge for me. It was probably one of the most important factors that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, Scott made history as the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a second-half substitute in their league fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could include him in the team because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss the coach commented back then.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Second-tier club Bristol City – owned by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an promising start in men’s football and arranged a trial in late 2019.
“It was hectic,” recalled the player. “The first day I joined the youth team, the second day I trained with the senior squad, which was a total surprise.
“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in London, travelled back and by Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. It was almost a certainty for me to sign a contract.”
In just a year and a half, still well before his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut against the Hatters.
He went on to make eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being deployed as a wide defender – and sometimes in attack as a number 10 – such was his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
With his ability to drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and England attacking midfielder Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the EFL Championship’s best young player honour, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was voted the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I believe he’ll play for his country and I think he will progress to the pinnacle of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at Ashton Gate, stated previously.
Less than 90 days later, he joined the Cherries for a reported fee of £25m.
Getting his major transfer
The midfielder experienced a challenging debut campaign with the club, waiting until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then being in and out of the team.
His second campaign was just as affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost four months.
“There was a decent run at the end of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained he.
“That felt like almost another obstacle and it was shaping up as quite a terrible year for the first half.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in get himself fit in time.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they claimed victory in the competition in Slovakia, forming a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the senior side under the national coach.
And he has begun this season just as strongly for his club, featuring in every game to guide them to fifth in the table.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my life,” the player stated earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a footballer, keep enjoying football, getting better every day, and with luck I impress the national coach and get my chance.”
