From non-league all the way to national team call-up - who is the ‘Grealish of Guernsey’ Scott?

When Alex Scott made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his manager at the time predicted, “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 maiden summons to the senior Three Lions team.

His rise from non-league prodigy to possible international star is a true blast from the past, a journey seldom told in the modern era.

What’s next? The World Cup?

“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, never mind playing in the top division and playing for the national team too,” the player stated previously.

“It’s been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and things have changed drastically for me and my family.”

So how did Alex Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up here?

Developing in non-league

His football journey has not been a typical one.

He spent four and a half years in Southampton’s academy setup from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to travel by air from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could train and play for the club’s academy sides.

Prior to he turned 13, however, they released him. The Cherries were willing to offer Scott an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a while, but, as he later admitted, his mind wasn’t fully committed.

Rather, he chose to stay on the island and turn out for his local team.

“My form had dipped and flying over every week was starting to feel a bit too much,” he recalled.

“All I desired to chill at home with my mates at weekends because I had missed almost several years of doing that. To have that slice of youth back was something I really needed.

“Building a bit of confidence by coming back and playing island football was massive for me. That proved to be perhaps one of the most important factors that led me to this point.”

At the age of 16, Scott made history as the youngest player in the club’s records when he came on as a 57th-minute substitute in their Isthmian League match at Phoenix Sports.

“I had trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could include him in the team 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 way he runs with the ball, he’s a class act.”

Returning to the pro ranks

Championship side Bristol City – chaired by islander their owner – had been tracking Scott’s development after an impressive beginning in men’s football and gave him a trial in late 2019.

“It was hectic,” recalled Scott. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the next day I trained with the first team, which was a total shock.

“On the Wednesday I played for his local side in London, travelled back and by Friday, I played for the youth team and netted a hat-trick. It was almost a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”

Within 18 months, still well before his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut against Luton.

Scott made 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 – such was his adaptability and versatility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was their best player.

With his skill to drive the ball forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and England playmaker Jack Grealish.

By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the second tier’s young player of the season award, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was voted Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.

“No doubt, I think he will represent England and I’m sure he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the game,” his former manager, the player’s boss at Ashton Gate, stated last year.

Less than 90 days later, he joined the Cherries for a understood transfer fee of 25 million pounds.

Securing his big move

Scott endured a difficult first season with the Cherries, 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 just as disrupted, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost several months.

“There was quite a good run at the end of last season, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said Scott.

“That felt like almost another obstacle and the year was shaping up as quite a terrible start for the first half.”

But he was then called up by England for the U21 Euros – and managed to regain fitness for the tournament.

He went on to start five of the England U21s’ six matches as they claimed victory in the tournament in Slovakia, developing a formidable partnership in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.

And he has started this season equally as strongly for his club, featuring in all matches to help them to fifth in the standings.

“To play for the England senior team would be one of the proudest moments of my life,” Scott said recently.

“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a player, maintain my love for football, improving every day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the national coach and earn an opportunity.”