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When Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach at the time predicted, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”

This statement proved to be something of an underestimation.

Now 22 years old and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his first call-up to the senior Three Lions squad.

His rise from non-league prodigy to possible England player is a true blast from the past, a journey rarely seen in the modern game.

Next stop? The World Cup?

“In my mind, there was zero possibility of making it as a professional football player, never mind playing in the Premier League and playing for England as well,” the player stated in a recent interview.

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

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

Learning in non-league

His path in football has not been a conventional one.

He spent four and a half years in the Saints’ youth system starting at eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his island home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could train and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.

Prior to he turned 13, however, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a while, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.

Instead, he chose to stay on the island and play for his hometown club.

“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.

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

“Building a bit of self-belief by coming back and taking part in island football was huge for me. It was perhaps one of the most important factors that got me where I am today.”

At the age of 16, the teenager became the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he was introduced 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 get him in the side because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance commented back then.

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

Returning to the professional game

Second-tier club Bristol City – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been monitoring his early progress after an promising start in men’s football and gave him a try-out in late 2019.

“The whole experience was hectic,” recalled Scott. “The first day I joined the youth team, the next day I was with the senior squad, which was a complete shock.

“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and on the Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. It was almost a certainty 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 first-team debut versus the Hatters.

He went on to make 83 league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being deployed as a wing-back – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his adaptability and versatility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was the standout performer.

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

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

“No doubt, I believe he’ll play for his country and I think he will progress to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked previously.

Within 90 days later, he joined the Cherries for a reported transfer fee of £25m.

Securing his major transfer

The midfielder endured a challenging first season with the club, having to wait until October to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then being in and out of the starting XI.

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

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

“It was 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 for the tournament.

He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, forming a formidable understanding in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has excelled for the senior side under Thomas Tuchel.

And he has begun this season just as impressively for his club, featuring in all matches to help them to fifth in the table.

“Representing the national team would be one of the proudest occasions of my career,” Scott stated recently.

“It’s down to me, I must continue developing as a footballer, keep enjoying football, getting better every day, and with luck I catch the eye of the England manager and earn an opportunity.”