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When Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports before just 55 fans in 2019, his coach at the time assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”

This prediction turned out to be a bit of an understatement.

Today aged 22 and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the playmaker has just received his maiden summons to the full Three Lions team.

His rise from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a proper blast from the past, a story rarely seen in the modern game.

Next stop? A major tournament?

“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, never mind playing in the top division and playing for the national team too,” Scott stated in a recent interview.

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

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

Learning in non-league

His path in football has been far from a typical one.

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

Before he turned 13, however, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an opportunity 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 Guernsey and play for his hometown club.

“My form had dipped and traveling weekly was becoming overwhelming,” he recalled.

“I just wanted to relax at my home with my mates at the weekend because I had missed almost four and a half years of that experience. To have that slice of childhood back was a thing I definitely needed.

“To gain some confidence by coming back and taking part in island football was massive for me. That proved to be probably the most crucial factors that got me where I am today.”

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

“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could include him in the team because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss the coach commented at the time.

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

Returning to the pro ranks

Second-tier club the Robins – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been monitoring Scott’s early progress 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 youth team, the second day I was with the senior squad, which was a complete surprise.

“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in the capital, travelled back and by Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”

Within 18 months, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut versus the Hatters.

Scott went on to make 83 league outings for the Robins while still a teenager, often being deployed as a wide defender – and sometimes in attack as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his adaptability and flexibility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role 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 nod to Manchester City and England playmaker Jack Grealish.

At the end of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the EFL Championship’s best young player honour, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was named the club’s player and young player of the Year.

“No doubt, I think he will represent England and I think he will progress to the top of the sport,” his former manager, Scott’s manager at Ashton Gate, stated previously.

Within 90 days later, he joined the Cherries for a reported fee of £25m.

Securing his major transfer

The midfielder experienced a challenging first season with the Cherries, having to wait until the autumn to earn his top-flight debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the team.

His following season was just as disrupted, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for nearly several months.

“I had a decent run at the end of last season, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained 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 selected by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and managed to get himself fit in time.

He started five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they went on to win the competition in the host nation, developing a strong partnership in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.

And he has begun this season equally as strongly for Bournemouth, featuring in every game to guide them to the top five in the table.

“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special occasions of my life,” Scott stated earlier this season.

“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a player, keep enjoying the game, improving every day, and hopefully I impress the national coach and earn an opportunity.”