From non-league to England call-up - the story of ‘Guernsey Grealish’ Scott?

When Alex Scott made his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports before just 55 fans in 2019, his coach back then assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”

That statement turned out to be something of an underestimation.

Now aged 22 and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has just received his maiden call-up to the full England squad.

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

Next stop? The World Cup?

“In my mind, there was no chance of making it as a professional football player, never mind playing in the Premier League and representing England too,” the player stated previously.

“It’s been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and things have changed drastically for myself and my loved ones.”

But in what way did Alex Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up here?

Developing in non-league

Scott’s path in football has been far from a typical one.

He was part of over four years in Southampton’s academy setup from the age of eight, leaving school early each Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and feature for the club’s academy sides.

Before he turned 13, however, they decided to let him go. The Cherries were willing to offer him an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.

Rather, he chose to stay on the island and turn out for his local team.

“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling every week was becoming overwhelming,” he explained.

“I just wanted to relax at home with my mates at weekends because I had missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. Getting that slice of youth again was a thing I definitely required.

“To gain some confidence by coming back and taking part in island football was massive for me. It was perhaps the most crucial things that got me where I am today.”

When he was just 16, the teenager made history as the youngest player in the club’s records when he was introduced as a second-half replacement in their Isthmian League match at Phoenix Sports.

“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the side because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance commented at the time.

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

Returning to the pro ranks

Championship side the Robins – owned by islander their owner – had been monitoring his development after an promising start in men’s football and gave him a trial in December 2019.

“It was hectic,” recalled the player. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the second day I was with the first team, which was a complete surprise.

“On the Wednesday I featured for his local side in the capital, travelled back and on the Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to sign a contract.”

In just a year and a half, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut versus Luton.

Scott went on to make eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while still a teenager, frequently being used as a wide defender – and occasionally in attack as a number 10 – such was his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was the standout performer.

Thanks to his skill to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to 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 voted the club’s top player and top youngster.

“Without question, I believe he will represent his country and I’m sure he will progress to the pinnacle of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at the club, stated last year.

Less than three months after, he signed for the Cherries for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.

Getting his major transfer

The midfielder experienced a difficult debut campaign with the Cherries, waiting until the autumn to make his top-flight debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then finding himself in and out of the team.

His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for nearly four months.

“There was a decent run at the end of last season, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” said Scott.

“It was almost another obstacle and it was turning out to be quite a terrible 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 England U21s’ six matches as they claimed victory in the tournament in the host nation, forming a formidable understanding in the middle with his teammate, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side under the national coach.

And he has begun the current campaign equally as impressively for his club, featuring in every game to help them to the top five in the standings.

“Representing the national team would be one of the proudest moments of my life,” the player said recently.

“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a footballer, maintain my love for the game, improving every day, and hopefully I impress the national coach and earn an opportunity.”