From non-league all the way to national team call-up - the story of the ‘Grealish of Guernsey’ Alex Scott?

When Alex Scott made his local team debut against Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 fans in 2019, his manager at the time assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”

This prediction proved to be something of an understatement.

Now aged 22 and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the midfielder has earned his maiden summons to the full England team.

His rise from eighth-tier talent to potential England player is a true blast from the past, a journey rarely seen in the modern era.

What’s next? The World Cup?

“In my mind, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, let alone featuring in the top division and playing for the national team too,” Scott said previously.

“It has been a incredible five or six years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for me and my loved ones.”

But how did Alex Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up here?

Developing in the lower tiers

Scott’s path in football has not been a conventional one.

He was part of over four years in the Saints’ academy setup from the age of eight, skipping school every Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could attend training and feature for the club’s academy sides.

Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they released him. The Cherries gave Scott an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind wasn’t fully committed.

Instead, he chose to stay on the island and turn out for his hometown club.

“My form had dipped and flying over every week was starting to feel a bit too much,” he recalled.

“All I desired to relax at my home with my mates at the weekend because I missed almost several years of doing that. Getting that slice of youth again was something I definitely required.

“To gain some self-belief by coming back and taking part in local football was massive for me. That proved to be perhaps the most crucial things that got me to this point.”

At the age of 16, the teenager became the youngest player in the club’s records when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League match 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.

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

Returning to the pro ranks

Championship side Bristol City – chaired by Guernsey resident their owner – had been tracking Scott’s early progress after an promising start in men’s football and gave him a try-out in December 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.

“On the Wednesday I played for his local side in the capital, travelled back and by Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a hat-trick. From that point a done deal for me to sign a contract.”

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

Scott made eighty-three league outings for the Robins while still a teenager, frequently being used as a wing-back – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his adaptability and versatility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was the standout performer.

Thanks to his skill to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and national team attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.

At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s best young player honour, was selected in the league’s best XI and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.

“No doubt, I think he will represent England and I think he will progress to the top of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked last year.

Less than 90 days after, he joined Bournemouth for a understood fee of £25m.

Securing his big move

Scott experienced a difficult debut campaign with the club, having to wait until the autumn to earn his top-flight debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the starting XI.

His second campaign was just as disrupted, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost four months.

“I had a decent run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.

“That felt like yet another obstacle and the year was turning out to be a pretty bad start for the first half.”

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

He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, developing a strong partnership in the middle with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the first team with the national coach.

And he has started this season just as strongly for his club, playing in every game to guide them to the top five in the standings.

“To play for the national team would be one of the proudest occasions of my career,” Scott stated recently.

“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to keep progressing as a footballer, maintain my love for the game, getting better every day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the national coach and get my chance.”