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When the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager back then predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”

That statement proved to be a bit of an understatement.

Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the midfielder has earned his maiden call-up to the full England team.

His ascent from non-league prodigy to potential international star is a true throwback, a story seldom told in the modern game.

What’s next? A major tournament?

“Back then, there was no chance of becoming a professional football player, let alone featuring in the top division and representing England as well,” the player said previously.

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

So how did Alex Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up at this level?

Developing in the lower tiers

His football journey has been far from a conventional one.

He spent over four years in the Saints’ youth system starting at eight, skipping school each Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.

Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they decided to let him go. The Cherries gave him an opportunity and he remained with them for a time, but, as he later admitted, his heart was not in it.

Rather, he opted to stay on the island and play for his hometown club.

“My form had dipped and traveling weekly was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.

“I just wanted to relax at my home with my mates at the weekend because I missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. To have that little bit of childhood back was a thing I definitely needed.

“Building a bit of self-belief by returning and taking part in local football was massive for me. That proved to be perhaps one of the most important things that led me where I am today.”

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 league match at the opposition.

“I had trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could get him in the team because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance stated back then.

“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”

Returning to the pro ranks

Championship side Bristol City – owned by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been tracking Scott’s development after an promising beginning in men’s football and arranged a try-out in December 2019.

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

“On the Wednesday I featured for his local side in London, travelled back and by Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a hat-trick. From that point a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”

In just a year and a half, even well before his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut against the Hatters.

He made 83 league appearances for the club while still a teenager, frequently being used as a wing-back – and occasionally further forward as a number 10 – demonstrating his adaptability and flexibility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was their best player.

With his skill to carry the ball forward, 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 claimed the second tier’s best young player honour, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.

“No doubt, I believe he will represent his country and I think he will progress to the pinnacle of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s manager at the club, stated previously.

Less than 90 days after, he joined Bournemouth for a understood transfer fee of 25 million pounds.

Securing his major transfer

Scott endured a difficult first season with the Cherries, having to wait until the autumn to make his top-flight debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the starting XI.

His following season was just as affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for nearly four months.

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

“That felt like yet another setback and it was shaping up as quite a terrible year for the first five months.”

But he was then called up by England for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in regain fitness for the tournament.

He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, forming a formidable partnership in the middle with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the first team with Thomas Tuchel.

And he has started this season just as strongly for his club, featuring in all matches to help them to the top five in the table.

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

“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, getting better every day, and hopefully I impress the England manager and earn an opportunity.”