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When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 spectators in 2019, his manager at the time assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”

This statement turned out to be a bit of an underestimation.

Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has just received his first summons to the full England team.

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

What’s next? The World Cup?

“In my mind, there was zero possibility of becoming a professional football player, never mind playing in the top division and representing the national team too,” Scott said previously.

“It has been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have transformed drastically for myself and my loved ones.”

But how did Alex Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself at this level?

Learning in the lower tiers

Scott’s football journey has been far from a typical one.

He was part of over four years in Southampton’s academy setup starting at eight, leaving school early every Friday to travel by air from his island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and feature for the club’s academy sides.

Prior to his 13th birthday, though, they decided to let him go. The Cherries were willing to offer Scott an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.

Instead, he opted to remain on Guernsey and turn out for his hometown club.

“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over every week was becoming overwhelming,” he recalled.

“I just wanted to relax at home with my friends at weekends because I missed nearly four and a half years of that experience. To have that little bit of childhood back was a thing I really required.

“Building a bit of confidence by returning and playing island football was massive for me. That proved to be perhaps the most crucial factors that led me where I am today.”

At the age of 16, Scott made history as the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a second-half replacement in their league fixture at Phoenix Sports.

“I had trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could get him in the side because his talent is obvious,” manager the coach commented at the time.

“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the way he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”

Returning to the pro ranks

Second-tier club Bristol City – owned by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s early progress after an impressive beginning in men’s football and arranged a try-out in late 2019.

“The whole experience was hectic,” said Scott. “The first day I joined the youth team, the second day I was with the first team, which was a complete surprise.

“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in the capital, travelled back and by Friday, I played for the youth team and netted a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”

In just 18 months, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut against Luton.

Scott went on to make eighty-three league outings for the club while in his teens, often being used as a wing-back – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – such was his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was their best player.

Thanks to his ability to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to City and national team attacking midfielder Grealish.

At the end of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season award, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was named the club’s top player and top youngster.

“Without question, I think he’ll play for England and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at the club, stated last year.

Less than 90 days after, he signed for the Cherries for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.

Securing his big move

Scott experienced a challenging debut campaign with the club, having to wait until October to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the team.

His following season was equally disrupted, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost several months.

“I had quite a good run at the close of last season, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” said Scott.

“That felt like almost another setback and it was turning out to be quite a terrible year for the first five months.”

But he was then called up by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.

He started five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they went on to win the competition in Slovakia, forming a formidable understanding in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.

And he has begun this season equally as impressively for his club, playing in every game to guide them to the top five in the table.

“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” Scott stated earlier this season.

“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to continue developing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, getting better every day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the England manager and get my chance.”