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Back when the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager back then predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”

That prediction proved to be something of an understatement.

Now aged 22 and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the midfielder has just received his maiden call-up to the senior England team.

His ascent from non-league prodigy to potential international star is a proper blast from the past, a story seldom seen in the modern game.

What’s next? A major tournament?

“In my mind, there was no chance of making it as a professional football player, never mind featuring in the top division and playing for the national team too,” the player said in a recent interview.

“It has been a incredible five or six years of my life, and circumstances have changed drastically for myself and my loved ones.”

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

Developing in the lower tiers

Scott’s football journey has been far from a conventional one.

He spent four and a half years in Southampton’s youth system from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could train and play for the club’s academy sides.

Prior to his 13th birthday, though, they decided to let him go. The Cherries gave Scott an option and he remained with them for a while, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.

Rather, he opted to remain on the island and turn out for his hometown club.

“My form had dipped and flying over every week was starting to feel a bit too much,” he explained.

“I just wanted to relax at my home with my mates at weekends because I missed almost four and a half years of doing that. To have that slice of youth back was something I really required.

“Building a bit of self-belief by returning and taking part in local football was massive for me. It was probably the most crucial factors that led me to this point.”

At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League fixture at Phoenix Sports.

“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could include him in the team because he’s that good,” manager Tony Vance commented at the time.

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

Making a comeback to the pro ranks

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

“The whole experience was hectic,” said Scott. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the next day I trained with the senior squad, which was a complete surprise.

“On the Wednesday I played for his local side in the capital, returned home and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”

In just 18 months, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against Luton.

Scott went on to make 83 league outings for the club while still a teenager, frequently being used as a wide defender – and sometimes further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his adaptability 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 forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to City and England attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.

By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he won the EFL Championship’s best young player award, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was voted Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.

“Without question, I think he’ll play for England and I think he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s manager at Ashton Gate, stated previously.

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

Securing his major transfer

The midfielder endured a difficult first season with the Cherries, waiting until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the team.

His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a surgery which sidelined him for almost four months.

“I had a decent run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said Scott.

“It was yet another obstacle and it was shaping up as quite a terrible year for the first five months.”

But he was then called up by the national team for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit in time.

He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they claimed victory in the competition in the host nation, developing a formidable partnership in the middle with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the first team with the national coach.

And he has started this season just as impressively for Bournemouth, playing in all matches to help them to fifth in the table.

“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special occasions of my career,” Scott said 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.”