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Back when Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 fans in 2019, his manager back then assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”

This statement proved to be a bit of an understatement.

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

His ascent from non-league prodigy to potential England player is a true throwback, a journey rarely seen in the modern game.

What’s next? A major tournament?

“In my mind, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, let alone featuring in the Premier League and representing the national team as well,” the player said previously.

“It has been a crazy five or six years of my life, and things have changed drastically for me and my family.”

So in what way did Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?

Learning in non-league

His football journey has not been a conventional one.

He spent over four years in Southampton’s academy setup from the age of eight, skipping school each Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.

Prior to he turned 13, though, they released him. Bournemouth gave him an opportunity and he remained with them for a time, but, as he later admitted, his mind was not in it.

Instead, he opted to remain on Guernsey and play for his local team.

“My form had dipped and flying over every week was becoming overwhelming,” he recalled.

“All I desired to relax at home with my friends at the weekend because I missed nearly several years of that experience. To have that little bit of childhood back was something I really needed.

“To gain a bit of self-belief by returning and taking part in island football was massive for me. That proved to be probably the most crucial things that led me where I am today.”

At the age of 16, Scott became the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he came on as a 57th-minute substitute in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.

“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could include him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss the coach stated back then.

“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the way he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”

Returning to the pro ranks

Championship side the Robins – chaired by Guernsey resident their owner – had been tracking Scott’s development after an impressive start in men’s football and gave him a try-out in late 2019.

“It was chaos,” recalled the player. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the next day I trained with the first team, which was a total surprise.

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

Within a year and a half, still well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus Luton.

Scott made eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being deployed as a wing-back – and sometimes further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was their best player.

Thanks to his ability to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and England attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.

By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s best young player honour, was chosen in the division’s team of the year and was voted Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.

“Without question, I believe he will represent his country and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the sport,” his former manager, Scott’s manager at the club, stated last year.

Less than 90 days later, he joined Bournemouth for a understood fee of £25m.

Getting his major transfer

Scott endured a difficult first season with the Cherries, having to wait until the autumn to earn his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the team.

His second campaign was equally disrupted, this time by a surgery which sidelined him for nearly several months.

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

“That felt like almost another obstacle and it was turning out to be quite a terrible year for the first five months.”

But he was then selected by the national team for the U21 Euros – and managed to regain fitness in time.

He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they claimed victory in the competition in Slovakia, forming a formidable partnership in the middle with Elliot Anderson, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side with the national coach.

And he has begun the current campaign just as strongly for Bournemouth, featuring in all matches to guide them to fifth in the table.

“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special occasions of my career,” the player stated earlier this season.

“It’s down to me, I’ve got to continue developing as a player, maintain my love for football, getting better every day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the England manager and earn an opportunity.”