Back when Alex Scott made his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his manager back then assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
That statement turned out to be a bit of an underestimation.
Today aged 22 and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the midfielder has earned his maiden summons to the senior Three Lions team.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to potential England player is a true blast from the past, a story rarely told in the modern era.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“Back then, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, let alone playing in the top division and playing for England as well,” Scott stated previously.
“It has been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for me and my family.”
But how did Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up here?
Learning in non-league
His path in football has been far from a conventional one.
He spent over four years in Southampton’s academy setup starting at eight, leaving school early each Friday to fly from his home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to he turned 13, however, they released him. The Cherries gave Scott an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, as he later admitted, his mind wasn’t fully committed.
Instead, he chose to remain on the island and turn out for his local team.
“My form had dipped and flying over every week was becoming overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to chill at my home with my mates at the weekend because I missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. Getting that slice of youth again was something I definitely needed.
“Building some confidence by returning and playing island football was massive for me. That proved to be perhaps one of the most important things that got 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 was introduced as a 57th-minute substitute in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.
“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could get him in the team because his talent is obvious,” manager the coach commented at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the manner he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Championship side the Robins – chaired by islander their owner – had been monitoring his early progress after an promising start in adult football and arranged a trial in late 2019.
“It was chaos,” recalled the player. “Day one I joined the youth team, the next day I was with the senior squad, which was a complete surprise.
“Midweek I featured for his local side in the capital, returned home and on the Friday, I took the field for the youth team and scored a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”
In just a year and a half, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut against Luton.
Scott went on to make 83 league outings for the club while in his teens, frequently being used as a wing-back – and sometimes in attack as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
With his skill to drive the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to City and national team playmaker Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was selected in the league’s best XI and was voted the club’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I think he will represent his country and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at Ashton Gate, remarked last year.
Less than 90 days after, he signed for the Cherries for a understood fee of £25m.
Securing his big move
Scott endured a challenging debut campaign with the Cherries, waiting until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then being in and out of the starting XI.
His second campaign was equally disrupted, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost several months.
“There was quite a good run at the close of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I broke my jaw,” said Scott.
“It was yet another setback and the year was turning out to be quite a terrible start for the first half.”
But he was then selected by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.
He went on to start five of the England U21s’ six games as they claimed victory in the tournament in Slovakia, forming a formidable partnership in the middle with his teammate, who in turn has gone on to impress for the first team under the national coach.
And he has started this season just as strongly for his club, featuring in every game to help them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the England senior team would be one of the proudest occasions of my career,” the player stated earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I must continue developing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, improving every day, and with luck I impress the England manager and get my chance.”
