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When the young midfielder made his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports before just 55 fans in 2019, his coach back then predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”

This prediction turned out to be something of an underestimation.

Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the midfielder has just received his maiden call-up to the full England squad.

His ascent from eighth-tier talent to potential international star is a proper throwback, a journey rarely seen in the modern era.

Next stop? The World Cup?

“Back then, there was zero possibility of becoming a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the top division and playing for England as well,” Scott stated in a recent interview.

“It’s been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and things have transformed drastically for me and my family.”

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

Learning in the lower tiers

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

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

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

Instead, he opted to stay on the island and play for his local team.

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

“All I desired to chill at my home with my mates at weekends because I missed almost four and a half years of doing that. Getting that little bit of youth back was something I definitely needed.

“Building some confidence by returning and playing local football was huge for me. It was probably one of the most important things that led me where I am today.”

At the age of 16, Scott made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he came on as a second-half substitute in their league match at Phoenix Sports.

“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could include him in the team because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance commented back then.

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

Returning to the pro ranks

Championship side the Robins – chaired by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an promising start in men’s football and gave him a try-out in late 2019.

“It was chaos,” said Scott. “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 London, travelled back and by Friday, I played for the youth team and netted a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to sign a contract.”

Within 18 months, still well before his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut versus the Hatters.

He went on to make eighty-three league outings for the club while in his teens, frequently being deployed as a wing-back – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – such was his adaptability and flexibility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was the standout performer.

With his skill to drive the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to City and England playmaker Grealish.

By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season award, was chosen in the league’s best XI and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.

“Without question, I believe he will represent his country and I think he will progress to the top of the game,” his former manager, the player’s boss at the club, stated previously.

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

Getting his big move

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

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

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

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

But he was then selected by the national team 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 claimed victory in the tournament in Slovakia, developing a strong partnership in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who himself has gone on to impress for the first team with Thomas Tuchel.

And he has started this season equally 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 one of the proudest moments of my life,” the player said earlier this season.

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