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When the young midfielder made his local team debut against Phoenix Sports before just 55 spectators in 2019, his manager at the time predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”

That statement turned out to be a bit of an underestimation.

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

His rise from eighth-tier talent to potential England player is a proper blast from the past, a journey rarely seen in the modern era.

What’s next? The World Cup?

“In my mind, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, let alone playing in the top division and representing England as well,” the player stated previously.

“It’s been a crazy five or six years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for myself and my loved ones.”

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

Developing in non-league

Scott’s path in football has not been a conventional one.

He was part of four and a half years in the Saints’ academy setup from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to travel by air from his home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could train and feature for the club’s academy sides.

Before he turned 13, however, they released him. The Cherries gave Scott an option and he remained with them for a while, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart was not in it.

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

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

“All I desired to relax at my home with my friends at weekends because I missed almost four and a half years of doing that. Getting that little bit of youth again was something I definitely required.

“To gain some confidence by coming back and taking part in local football was huge for me. That proved to be perhaps the most crucial things that got 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 second-half substitute in their Isthmian League fixture at the opposition.

“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the team because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss the coach stated back then.

“Everyone’s now seen 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

Championship side Bristol City – owned by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring his early progress after an promising beginning in adult football and arranged a try-out in December 2019.

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

“Midweek I played for his local side in London, travelled back and by Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. It was almost a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”

In just a year and a half, even well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against the Hatters.

Scott went on to make eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while still a teenager, often being used as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was their best player.

With his ability to drive the ball forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and national team playmaker Grealish.

By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the second tier’s best young player honour, was chosen in the league’s best XI and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.

“Without question, I believe he’ll play for his country and I think he’ll go on to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s boss at Ashton Gate, stated previously.

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

Getting his major transfer

Scott endured a difficult debut campaign with the Cherries, having to wait until October to make his top-flight debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the starting XI.

His second campaign was equally disrupted, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost 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 he.

“That felt like yet another obstacle and the year was turning out to be a pretty bad start for the first half.”

But he was then selected by the national team for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in get himself fit in time.

He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in Slovakia, developing a strong understanding in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has excelled for the first team under the national coach.

And he has begun the current campaign equally as strongly for his club, playing in all matches to help them to the top five in the standings.

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

“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to continue developing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, getting better every day, and hopefully I impress the national coach and earn an opportunity.”