Rising from non-league all the way to national team call-up - the story of the ‘Grealish of Guernsey’ Scott?

Back when Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut against Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach at the time assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”

This prediction proved to be something of an understatement.

Today 22 years old and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the midfielder has earned his first call-up to the senior Three Lions team.

His rise from eighth-tier talent to potential international star is a true throwback, a journey seldom seen in the modern era.

What’s next? The World Cup?

“Back then, there was zero possibility of becoming a pro footballer, never mind playing in the Premier League and playing for England too,” Scott stated in a recent interview.

“It’s been a incredible five or six years of my life, and things have transformed completely for myself and my family.”

So in what way did Alex Scott, known fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up here?

Developing in non-league

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

He spent over four years in Southampton’s academy setup from the age of eight, skipping school every Friday to travel by air from his home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.

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

Instead, he chose to stay on the island and play for his hometown club.

“My form had dipped and flying over every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.

“I just wanted to chill at home with my mates at weekends because I missed almost several years of doing that. To have that slice of childhood back was a thing I really required.

“Building some confidence by returning and playing island football was massive for me. That proved to be perhaps one of the most important factors that got me to this point.”

When he was just 16, the teenager became the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he was introduced as a 57th-minute substitute in their Isthmian League fixture at Phoenix Sports.

“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could get him in the team because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss the coach commented at the time.

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

Returning to the pro ranks

Championship side the Robins – chaired by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring his early progress after an impressive beginning in men’s football and arranged a trial in December 2019.

“It was chaos,” said Scott. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the second day I trained with the senior squad, which was a total surprise.

“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and on the Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a hat-trick. It was almost a done deal for me to sign a deal.”

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

He made 83 league appearances for the club while still a teenager, often being used as a wing-back – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was their best player.

With his ability to drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and England playmaker Jack Grealish.

By the conclusion 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.

“Without question, I believe he will represent his country and I think he will progress to the pinnacle of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at the club, stated last year.

Less than 90 days after, he signed for Bournemouth for a reported fee of £25m.

Securing his big move

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

His second campaign was equally disrupted, this time by a surgery 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,” explained Scott.

“That felt like yet another obstacle and it 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 managed to get himself fit in time.

He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in Slovakia, forming a strong understanding in the middle with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has gone on to impress for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.

And he has started the current campaign just as strongly for Bournemouth, playing in all matches to guide them to the top five in the table.

“To play for the national team would be one of the proudest moments of my career,” the player stated recently.

“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a footballer, keep enjoying football, getting better every day, and with luck I catch the eye of the England manager and get my chance.”