Back when Alex Scott made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 fans in 2019, his coach at the time predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”
That prediction proved to be a bit of an understatement.
Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his first summons to the full Three Lions team.
His ascent from eighth-tier talent to potential England player is a true throwback, a journey rarely told in the modern game.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“In my mind, there was zero possibility of making it as a professional football player, never mind playing in the top division and representing England as well,” the player said in a recent interview.
“It has been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for myself and my family.”
But in what way did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself at this level?
Developing in the lower tiers
His football journey has not been a typical one.
He spent four and a half years in the Saints’ academy setup starting at eight, leaving school early each Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before his 13th birthday, however, 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 mind wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he opted to stay on Guernsey and turn out for his hometown club.
“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling weekly was starting to feel overwhelming,” he recalled.
“All I desired to chill at home with my mates at the weekend because I had missed nearly four and a half years of that experience. To have that little bit of youth back was a thing I really needed.
“Building a bit of self-belief by returning and taking part in local football was massive for me. That proved to be probably one of the most important factors that led me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, Scott made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a 57th-minute replacement in their league match at the opposition.
“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could include him in the side because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance stated at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the way he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Championship side Bristol City – chaired by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been tracking his development after an promising start in men’s football and arranged a trial in December 2019.
“It was hectic,” recalled Scott. “Day one I joined the youth team, the next day I trained with the senior squad, which was a complete shock.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”
In just 18 months, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut versus Luton.
Scott went on to make eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being deployed as a wing-back – and occasionally in attack as a number 10 – 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 drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and England playmaker Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he won the second tier’s best young player award, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was voted the club’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, Scott’s manager at the club, stated previously.
Less than 90 days later, he joined Bournemouth for a reported transfer fee of £25m.
Getting his big move
Scott experienced a challenging debut campaign with the club, waiting until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then finding himself in and out of the team.
His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost several months.
“There was a decent run at the close of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained he.
“That felt like yet another obstacle and it was turning out to be a pretty bad start for the first half.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six games as they claimed victory in the tournament in Slovakia, forming a strong partnership in midfield with his teammate, who himself has gone on to impress for the first team with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun this season equally as strongly for Bournemouth, featuring in every game to guide them to the top five in the standings.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” the player said recently.
“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to continue developing as a footballer, keep enjoying football, improving every day, and with luck I impress the national coach and get my chance.”
