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When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach back then assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”

This statement proved to be a bit of an understatement.

Today aged 22 and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the playmaker has earned his first call-up to the full England squad.

His ascent from eighth-tier talent to potential England player is a proper throwback, a journey seldom seen in the modern game.

What’s next? The World Cup?

“In my mind, there was no chance of becoming a professional football player, never mind featuring in the Premier League and playing for England as well,” Scott said in a recent interview.

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

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

Learning in non-league

His football journey has not been a conventional one.

He spent four and a half years in Southampton’s youth system starting at eight, leaving school early each Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.

Prior to he turned 13, however, they released him. The Cherries were willing to offer him an opportunity and he remained with them for a time, but, as he later admitted, his heart was not in it.

Instead, he opted to stay on Guernsey and turn out for his hometown club.

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

“I just wanted to chill at home with my mates at the weekend because I had missed almost several years of that experience. To have that slice of childhood back was something I definitely needed.

“Building a bit of confidence by coming back and playing local football was massive for me. That proved to be probably one of the most important factors that led me where I am today.”

At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the youngest player in the club’s records when he came on as a 57th-minute replacement in their league match at Phoenix Sports.

“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could get him in the team because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance commented back then.

“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is exceptional, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”

Making a comeback to the pro ranks

Second-tier club Bristol City – owned by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s early progress after an impressive start in adult football and gave him a try-out in late 2019.

“The whole experience was chaos,” recalled Scott. “The first day I joined the youth team, the next day I trained with the senior squad, which was a total surprise.

“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I took the field for the youth team and scored a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”

In just 18 months, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against the Hatters.

He went on to make 83 league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being deployed as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a number 10 – such was his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was their best player.

With his skill to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to City and England playmaker Grealish.

At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s best young player award, was chosen in the league’s best XI and was voted the club’s top player and top youngster.

“No doubt, I believe he’ll play for his country and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at the club, remarked last year.

Less than 90 days later, he signed for Bournemouth for a reported transfer fee of 25 million pounds.

Getting his big move

The midfielder experienced a difficult debut campaign with the club, having to wait until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then finding himself in and out of the starting XI.

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

“I had quite a good run at the end of last season, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained Scott.

“That felt like almost another setback and it was shaping up as quite a terrible start for the first five months.”

But he was then selected by the national team for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in regain fitness for the tournament.

He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they went on to win the tournament in Slovakia, developing a formidable understanding in the middle with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.

And he has started this season just as impressively for Bournemouth, playing in every game to help them to the top five in the table.

“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my life,” Scott stated recently.

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