Back when Alex Scott made his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports before just 55 spectators in 2019, his coach back then assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”
This statement proved to be something of an underestimation.
Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the playmaker has earned his first summons to the full Three Lions team.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to potential international star is a proper blast from the past, a journey seldom told in the modern game.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was no chance of becoming a professional football player, let alone featuring in the top division and representing the national team as well,” the player stated in a recent interview.
“It’s been a incredible five or six years of my life, and things have changed drastically for me and my family.”
So in what way did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up here?
Developing in non-league
His football journey has been far from a conventional one.
He was part of four and a half years in the Saints’ academy setup from the age of eight, skipping school each Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an opportunity and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Instead, he chose to stay on Guernsey and turn out for his local team.
“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over every week was becoming overwhelming,” he recalled.
“I just wanted to relax at my home with my friends at the weekend because I missed almost four and a half years of that experience. Getting that little bit of youth back was a thing I definitely needed.
“Building a bit of confidence by coming back and taking part in island 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, Scott became the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a 57th-minute replacement in their league fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could get him in the side because his talent is obvious,” manager Tony Vance commented at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is exceptional, the manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Second-tier club the Robins – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been monitoring his early progress after an promising start in adult football and gave him a try-out in December 2019.
“It was hectic,” said Scott. “The first day I joined the under-18s, the second day I trained with the first team, which was a complete surprise.
“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I played 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, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut versus the Hatters.
Scott made 83 league outings for the club while in his teens, frequently being used as a wide defender – and occasionally in attack as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
With his skill to drive the ball forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and England playmaker Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was selected in the division’s team of the year and was voted Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I believe he will represent England and I think he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the sport,” his former manager, Scott’s manager at the club, stated previously.
Within three months after, he joined the Cherries for a understood fee of £25m.
Securing his major transfer
Scott endured a difficult debut campaign with the club, waiting until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then being in and out of the team.
His second campaign was equally disrupted, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for almost four months.
“There was quite a good run at the close of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.
“It was yet another obstacle and the year 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 managed to regain fitness in time.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they claimed victory in the competition in the host nation, forming a formidable understanding in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the first team under the national coach.
And he has begun the current campaign just as strongly for his club, featuring in every game to guide them to the top five in the standings.
“To play for the England senior team would be one of the proudest moments of my career,” the player said earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to keep progressing as a player, maintain my love for the game, getting better day on day, and hopefully I impress the national coach and get my chance.”
