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When Alex Scott made his local team debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his manager back then assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”

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

Now aged 22 and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the midfielder has earned his first summons to the senior England squad.

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

What’s next? A major tournament?

“Back then, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the top division and representing England too,” Scott said previously.

“It has been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have changed completely for me and my family.”

So in what way did Alex Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, find himself at this level?

Developing in the lower tiers

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

He spent four and a half years in Southampton’s youth system from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to travel by air from his island 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 decided to let him go. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind was not in it.

Instead, he chose to remain on the island and turn out for his hometown club.

“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling weekly was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.

“I just wanted to chill at my home with my mates at the weekend because I had missed almost four and a half years of doing that. To have that little bit of youth again was something I definitely needed.

“Building a bit of confidence by coming back and playing island football was massive for me. That proved to be probably the most crucial factors 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 second-half substitute in their Isthmian League fixture at Phoenix Sports.

“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss the coach stated at the time.

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

Making a comeback to the pro ranks

Championship side Bristol City – chaired by islander their owner – had been monitoring his development after an impressive start in men’s football and arranged a trial in December 2019.

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

“On the Wednesday I featured for his local side in the capital, travelled back and on the Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a hat-trick. It was almost a done deal for me to sign a contract.”

In just 18 months, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut versus Luton.

Scott went on to make 83 league outings for the club while in his teens, frequently being deployed as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was their best player.

Thanks to his skill to drive the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and national team attacking midfielder Grealish.

By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the division’s best XI and was voted the club’s top player and top youngster.

“No doubt, I think he’ll play for his country and I think he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked previously.

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

Securing his big move

Scott experienced a difficult first season with the Cherries, waiting until the autumn to earn his top-flight debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then being inconsistent of the starting XI.

His second campaign was just as disrupted, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for nearly four months.

“I had quite a good run at the end of the previous campaign, which was good 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 called up by England for the U21 Euros – and managed to get himself fit for the tournament.

He went on to start five of the England U21s’ six games as they went on to win the competition in the host nation, 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 equally as strongly for his club, featuring in every game to guide them to fifth in the standings.

“Representing the national team would be among the most special occasions of my life,” the player said recently.

“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, getting better day on day, and hopefully I impress the England manager and get my chance.”