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Back when Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 fans in 2019, his manager at the time assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”

That statement proved to be a bit of an understatement.

Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the midfielder has earned his maiden call-up to the senior Three Lions team.

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

Next stop? The World Cup?

“In my mind, there was zero possibility of becoming a pro footballer, let alone playing in the top division and representing England too,” the player said previously.

“It’s been a crazy five or six years of my life, and things have transformed drastically for me and my loved ones.”

So in what way did Alex Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself at this level?

Learning in non-league

Scott’s football journey has not been a conventional one.

He was part of over four years in Southampton’s youth system from the age of eight, leaving school early each Friday to travel by air from his island home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could train and feature for the club’s academy sides.

Before his 13th birthday, however, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an option and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind 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 becoming a bit too much,” he recalled.

“All I desired to relax at home with my friends at weekends because I missed almost several years of doing that. Getting that little bit of youth back was a thing I really required.

“Building a bit of confidence by coming back and taking part in island football was huge for me. That proved to be perhaps the most crucial factors that led me where I am today.”

When he was just 16, the teenager made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he came on as a 57th-minute replacement in their league match at Phoenix Sports.

“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could get him in the side 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

Second-tier club Bristol City – chaired by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring his development after an promising start in adult football and gave him a trial in December 2019.

“The whole experience was hectic,” recalled Scott. “The first day I trained with the under-18s, the second day I was with the senior squad, which was a total shock.

“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to sign a deal.”

Within a year and a half, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut against Luton.

Scott went on to make 83 league outings for the club while still a teenager, often being deployed as a wide defender – and sometimes further forward as a attacking midfielder – such was his adaptability and versatility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was their best player.

With his ability to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and national team playmaker Jack Grealish.

By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the league’s best XI and was voted the club’s top player and top youngster.

“No doubt, I think he will represent England and I’m sure he will progress to the pinnacle of the game,” his former manager, the player’s manager at Ashton Gate, remarked last year.

Within 90 days later, he signed for Bournemouth for a understood fee of £25m.

Securing his big move

Scott endured a challenging debut campaign with the club, waiting until October to make his Premier League debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then finding himself inconsistent of the team.

His second campaign was just as affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost several months.

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

“That felt like almost another obstacle and the year was shaping up as quite a terrible start for the first five months.”

But he was then selected by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and managed to regain fitness in time.

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 understanding in the middle with Elliot Anderson, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side under Thomas Tuchel.

And he has started this season just as impressively for his club, featuring in all matches to guide them to the top five in the standings.

“Representing the national team would be among the most special occasions of my life,” Scott stated recently.

“It’s down to me, I’ve got to continue developing as a player, keep enjoying the game, getting better day on day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the national coach and earn an opportunity.”