Back when the young midfielder made his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach back then assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”
This statement proved to be something of an understatement.
Now aged 22 and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has earned his first call-up to the senior England team.
His rise from non-league prodigy to potential international star is a true blast from the past, a journey rarely told in the modern era.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“In my mind, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the Premier League and playing for England as well,” the player stated in a recent interview.
“It’s been a incredible five or six years of my life, and circumstances have changed drastically for me and my loved ones.”
So how did Alex Scott, known fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up here?
Learning in the lower tiers
His path in football has not been a typical one.
He spent over four years in Southampton’s youth system from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before his 13th birthday, however, they decided to let him go. The Cherries were willing to offer Scott an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a while, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart was not in it.
Instead, he opted to stay on the island and turn out for his local team.
“My form had dipped and traveling weekly was starting to feel a bit too much,” he explained.
“I just wanted to relax at my home with my mates at weekends because I missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. Getting that slice of youth back was a thing I definitely required.
“Building a bit of self-belief by coming back and playing local football was massive for me. It was perhaps one of the most important factors that led me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” manager Tony Vance stated back then.
“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 professional game
Second-tier club the Robins – chaired by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an impressive beginning in men’s football and arranged a try-out in December 2019.
“It was hectic,” said the player. “Day one I trained with the under-18s, the next day I was with the first team, which was a complete shock.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in London, travelled back and by Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to sign a deal.”
Within 18 months, still well before his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut versus Luton.
He went on to make eighty-three league outings for the club while still a teenager, often being deployed as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was their best player.
Thanks to his skill to drive the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to City and national team 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 league’s team of the year and was voted the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“No doubt, I think he will represent his country and I think he will progress to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked last year.
Within three months after, he joined the Cherries for a understood fee of £25m.
Securing his big move
The midfielder endured a difficult first season with the club, having to wait until October to earn his top-flight debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then finding himself in and out of the team.
His second campaign was just as affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for nearly four months.
“I had a decent run at the close of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.
“It was almost another obstacle and the year was shaping up as quite a terrible start for the first five months.”
But he was then called up by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and managed to get himself fit for the tournament.
He started five of the England U21s’ six matches as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, forming a formidable understanding in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the senior side under Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun this season just as impressively for Bournemouth, playing in every game to help them to the top five in the table.
“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special occasions of my career,” the player said recently.
“The responsibility is mine, I must keep progressing as a footballer, keep enjoying football, improving every day, and with luck I catch the eye of the England manager and get my chance.”
