From non-league all the way to England selection - the story of the ‘Grealish of Guernsey’ Alex Scott?

Back when Alex Scott made his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports before just 55 fans in 2019, his coach at the time assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”

This prediction proved to be something of an underestimation.

Now 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the midfielder has earned his first summons to the senior England team.

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

Next stop? A major tournament?

“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, let alone playing in the top division and playing for the national team as well,” Scott stated in a recent interview.

“It has been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for myself and my loved ones.”

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

Developing in non-league

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

He was part of over four years in the Saints’ academy setup starting at eight, skipping school every Friday to travel by air from his island home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could train and feature for the club’s academy sides.

Prior to his 13th birthday, though, they released him. Bournemouth gave Scott an option and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.

Instead, he chose to remain on the island and turn out for his local team.

“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling every week was starting to feel a bit too much,” he explained.

“All I desired to chill at my home with my friends at the weekend because I missed nearly several years of doing that. To have that slice of childhood again was a thing I definitely required.

“Building some self-belief by coming back and taking part in island football was massive for me. It was probably one of the most important things that led me to this point.”

When he was just 16, Scott became the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he was introduced as a second-half replacement in their Isthmian League fixture at Phoenix Sports.

“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the team because his talent is obvious,” manager the coach stated at the time.

“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 professional game

Second-tier club Bristol City – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been tracking Scott’s early progress after an promising beginning in men’s football and arranged a trial in late 2019.

“It was hectic,” said Scott. “The first day I trained with the under-18s, the second day I trained with the first team, which was a complete shock.

“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. It was almost a certainty for me to sign a contract.”

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

He made eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, often being used as a wing-back – 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 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 moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to City and national team attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.

By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the EFL Championship’s young player of the season award, 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 think he will represent his country and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the game,” his former manager, the player’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked previously.

Within three months after, he joined the Cherries for a understood transfer fee of £25m.

Getting his big move

The midfielder experienced a challenging first season with the club, 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 team.

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

“There was quite a good run at the close of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained he.

“That felt like yet another setback and it was shaping up as a pretty bad start for the first five months.”

But he was then selected by England for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.

He started five of the England U21s’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in Slovakia, forming a formidable partnership in the middle with his teammate, who in turn has gone on to impress for the senior side with the national coach.

And he has begun this season equally as impressively for his club, playing in all matches to help them to fifth in the standings.

“To play for the national team would be one of the proudest moments of my life,” Scott stated earlier this season.

“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a player, maintain my love for the game, improving day on day, and hopefully I impress the England manager and earn an opportunity.”