From non-league to England selection - the story of the ‘Grealish of Guernsey’ Alex Scott?

Back when the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports before just 55 spectators in 2019, his manager back then assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”

That statement proved to be a bit of an understatement.

Today aged 22 and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his first call-up to the full Three Lions team.

His ascent from eighth-tier talent to potential England player is a proper blast from the past, a journey seldom seen in the modern game.

Next stop? The World Cup?

“In my mind, there was no chance of making it as a professional football player, never mind featuring in the Premier League and playing for the national team as well,” the player stated in a recent interview.

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

But in what way did Alex Scott, known fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up at this level?

Developing in the lower tiers

His path in football has not been a conventional one.

He was part of four and a half years in Southampton’s youth system from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.

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 heart wasn’t fully committed.

Rather, he chose to stay on Guernsey and play for his local team.

“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.

“All I desired to relax at home with my mates at the weekend because I missed almost several years of doing that. Getting that little bit of childhood back was a thing I really needed.

“Building some self-belief by returning and playing local football was huge for me. That proved to be probably the most crucial things 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 was introduced as a 57th-minute substitute in their league fixture at the opposition.

“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the side because he’s that good,” manager Tony Vance commented at the time.

“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the way he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”

Making a comeback to the pro ranks

Championship side Bristol City – owned by islander their owner – had been tracking his early progress after an promising beginning in men’s football and gave him a try-out in December 2019.

“It was chaos,” recalled the player. “Day one I joined the youth team, the second day I trained with the senior squad, which was a total shock.

“Midweek I played for his local side in the capital, travelled back and by Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”

Within 18 months, still well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus Luton.

He went on to make 83 league outings for the club while still a teenager, often being used as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – such was his adaptability and flexibility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.

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

By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he won the EFL Championship’s best young player award, was chosen in the league’s best XI and was voted Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.

“Without question, I think he’ll play for England and I think he will progress to the top of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at Ashton Gate, stated previously.

Within 90 days after, he signed for Bournemouth for a understood transfer fee of 25 million pounds.

Securing his big move

Scott experienced a challenging first season with the Cherries, having to wait until October to make his top-flight debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the starting XI.

His second campaign was equally disrupted, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for nearly several months.

“There was quite a good run at the end of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.

“It was almost another setback and the year was turning out to be quite a terrible start for the first half.”

But he was then called up by England for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.

He went on to start five of the England U21s’ six matches as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, forming a strong partnership in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who himself has excelled for the first team under the national coach.

And he has started this season just as impressively for Bournemouth, playing 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 occasions of my career,” the player said recently.

“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a player, maintain my love for football, getting better every day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the national coach and earn an opportunity.”