Back when Alex Scott made his local team debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager at the time assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”
This statement proved to be a bit of an understatement.
Now 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his maiden summons to the full Three Lions squad.
His rise from non-league prodigy to possible England player is a true blast from the past, a story seldom seen in the modern era.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“In my mind, there was zero possibility of becoming a professional football player, let alone playing in the top division and representing the national team as well,” the player stated in a recent interview.
“It has been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and things have changed drastically for myself and my family.”
But how did Alex Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself at this level?
Learning in non-league
His path in football has been far from a conventional one.
He was part of over four years in Southampton’s youth system starting at eight, leaving school early each Friday to travel by air from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to he turned 13, though, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth gave Scott an option and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart was not in it.
Rather, he opted to remain on Guernsey and play for his hometown club.
“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over every week was becoming overwhelming,” he explained.
“All I desired to relax at my home with my friends at the weekend because I missed almost several years of doing that. Getting that slice of childhood back was something I definitely required.
“Building a bit of confidence by returning and playing local football was huge for me. It was probably one of the most important things that led me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the youngest player in the club’s records when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.
“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” manager the coach stated back then.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the manner he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Second-tier club the Robins – owned by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring his early progress after an impressive beginning in adult football and arranged a try-out in late 2019.
“It was hectic,” said Scott. “The first day I trained with the under-18s, the second day I trained with the senior squad, which was a total shock.
“Midweek I featured for his local side in London, travelled back and by Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a hat-trick. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”
Within 18 months, still well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his first-team debut versus Luton.
He went on to make 83 league outings for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being deployed as a wide defender – and occasionally in attack as a number 10 – such was his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role 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 earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and England attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the second tier’s best young player honour, was chosen in the league’s best XI and was voted Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.
“No doubt, I believe he will represent his country and I’m sure he will progress to the pinnacle of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked last year.
Less than three months later, he signed for the Cherries for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his major transfer
Scott experienced a difficult debut campaign with the club, waiting until the autumn to earn his top-flight debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the starting XI.
His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for nearly several months.
“There was quite a good run at the close of last season, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained he.
“That felt like yet another obstacle and it was turning out to be quite a terrible start for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and managed to regain fitness in time.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in Slovakia, 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 impressively for his club, playing in all matches to help them to fifth in the table.
“Representing the England senior team would be one of the proudest occasions of my career,” Scott said recently.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to keep progressing as a player, keep enjoying the game, getting better day on day, and with luck I impress the England manager and earn an opportunity.”
