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When the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his coach at the time predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”

This prediction proved to be something of an underestimation.

Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the midfielder has just received his first call-up to the senior England team.

His rise from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a true throwback, a story seldom seen in the modern game.

What’s next? The World Cup?

“Back then, there was no chance of becoming a professional football player, never mind playing in the top division and representing the national team as well,” Scott stated in a recent interview.

“It has been a incredible five or six years of my life, and circumstances have changed drastically for myself and my loved ones.”

But how did Alex Scott, known fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself at this level?

Learning in non-league

Scott’s path in football has not been 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 island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could train and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.

Before he turned 13, however, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an option and he remained with them for a time, but, as he later admitted, his mind wasn’t fully committed.

Rather, he chose to remain on Guernsey and play for his hometown club.

“My form had dipped and traveling every week was becoming a bit too much,” he recalled.

“All I desired to relax at my home with my friends at the weekend because I had missed almost four and a half years of doing that. Getting that slice of youth back was a thing I definitely needed.

“Building some self-belief by returning and playing island football was huge for me. That proved to be probably one of the most important factors that led me where I am today.”

When he was just 16, the teenager became the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in their league fixture at Phoenix Sports.

“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the team because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss the coach commented back then.

“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s a class act.”

Making a comeback to the pro ranks

Championship side Bristol City – chaired by Guernsey resident their owner – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an promising start in adult football and arranged a try-out in late 2019.

“It was hectic,” said Scott. “The first day I joined the under-18s, the next day I was with the first team, which was a total surprise.

“Midweek I played for his local side in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I played for the youth team and netted a hat-trick. From that point a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”

In just 18 months, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his first-team debut against the Hatters.

He went on to make eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while still a teenager, frequently being used as a wide defender – and sometimes in attack as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was the standout performer.

Thanks to his ability to carry the ball forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to City and England attacking midfielder Grealish.

By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was voted the club’s top player and top youngster.

“No doubt, I believe he will represent his country and I’m sure he will progress to the pinnacle of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at Ashton Gate, remarked last year.

Less than three months later, he signed for the Cherries for a reported transfer fee of £25m.

Getting his big move

The midfielder experienced a difficult first season with the club, having to wait until the autumn to earn his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself in and out of the team.

His following season was just as 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 the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.

“It was almost another setback and it was turning out to be a pretty bad year for the first half.”

But he was then called up by the national team for the U21 Euros – and managed to regain fitness for the tournament.

He went on to start five of the England U21s’ six matches as they claimed victory in the tournament in the host nation, developing a formidable understanding in midfield with his teammate, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side under Thomas Tuchel.

And he has begun the current campaign equally as strongly for his club, playing in all matches to guide them to fifth in the table.

“To play for the national team would be among the most special occasions of my career,” the player stated recently.

“The responsibility is mine, I must keep progressing as a player, maintain my love for the game, improving every day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the national coach and earn an opportunity.”