When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager back then assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
That prediction proved to be something of an understatement.
Today aged 22 and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the playmaker has just received his maiden summons to the full Three Lions squad.
His rise from non-league prodigy to potential international star is a true throwback, a journey seldom seen in the modern era.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“In my mind, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, never mind playing in the top division and representing the national team as well,” the player stated previously.
“It has been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and things have changed completely for me and my loved ones.”
So how did Alex Scott, known fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up at this level?
Developing in the lower tiers
His path in football has been far from a typical one.
He spent over four years in Southampton’s academy setup starting at eight, leaving school early each Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey 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. The Cherries were willing to offer him an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he chose to remain on Guernsey and turn out for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and traveling weekly was becoming overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to relax at my home with my friends at the weekend because I had missed nearly several years of doing that. To have that little bit of childhood back was something I definitely required.
“To gain some self-belief by returning and playing island football was huge for me. It was probably one of the most important factors that got me to this point.”
At the age of 16, the teenager became the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a 57th-minute substitute in their Isthmian League fixture at the opposition.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the side because his talent is obvious,” manager Tony Vance stated at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the way he runs with the ball, he’s a class act.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Second-tier club the Robins – chaired by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s early progress after an promising beginning in adult football and gave him a try-out in late 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” said the player. “Day one I joined the youth team, the next day I was with the senior squad, which was a total surprise.
“On the Wednesday I played for his local side in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I took the field for the youth team and scored a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”
Within a year and a half, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus the Hatters.
Scott made 83 league appearances for the club while in his teens, often being deployed as a wing-back – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his ability to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to City and national team playmaker Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the EFL Championship’s young player of the season honour, was selected in the division’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I think he’ll play for England and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s boss at the club, stated previously.
Within 90 days after, he signed for the Cherries for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his major transfer
Scott endured a difficult debut campaign with the club, waiting until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself in and out of the team.
His following season was just as affected, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for almost several months.
“I had a decent run at the close of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” said he.
“It was yet another setback 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 U21 Euros – and managed to regain fitness for the tournament.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they claimed victory in the competition in the host nation, developing a formidable understanding in the middle with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has gone on to impress for the senior side under the national coach.
And he has begun this season just as strongly for his club, playing in all matches to help them to the top five in the standings.
“To play for the national team would be among the most special moments of my life,” the player stated earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I must keep progressing as a player, keep enjoying the game, improving day on day, and with luck I catch the eye of the England manager and earn an opportunity.”
