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Back when Alex Scott made his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 fans in 2019, his manager at the time assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”

That prediction proved to be something of an understatement.

Now 22 years old and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the playmaker has just received his first summons to the senior England squad.

His rise from eighth-tier talent to potential England player is a proper throwback, a journey rarely told in the modern game.

What’s next? The World Cup?

“Back then, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the top division and representing the national team as well,” the player said previously.

“It has been a incredible five or six years of my life, and things have transformed drastically for myself and my family.”

But in what way did Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself here?

Learning in non-league

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

He was part of over four years in Southampton’s academy setup starting at eight, skipping school each Friday to travel by air from his home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.

Before his 13th birthday, however, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an opportunity and he remained with them for a while, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind wasn’t fully committed.

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

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

“All I desired to chill at my home with my mates at weekends because I missed almost four and a half years of doing that. Getting that slice of youth again was a thing I really required.

“Building some confidence by coming back and taking part in island football was massive for me. It was probably one of the most important factors that got me to this point.”

When he was just 16, the teenager became the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in their league match at Phoenix Sports.

“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could include him in the team because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss the coach stated at the time.

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

Making a comeback to the pro ranks

Second-tier club the Robins – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been monitoring Scott’s early progress after an impressive start in men’s football and arranged a try-out in December 2019.

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

“On the Wednesday I played for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and by Friday, I played for the youth team and netted a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”

Within 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 eighty-three league appearances for the club while still a teenager, often being deployed as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a number 10 – such was his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.

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

At the end of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.

“Without question, I think he’ll play for England and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s manager at Ashton Gate, remarked last year.

Within 90 days after, he joined Bournemouth for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.

Getting his big move

Scott endured a challenging debut campaign with the club, having to wait until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the starting XI.

His following season was just as affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for nearly several months.

“I had a decent run at the end of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained Scott.

“It was almost another setback and it was turning out to be a pretty bad start for the first five months.”

But he was then called up by the national team for the U21 Euros – and managed to get himself fit for the tournament.

He started five of the England U21s’ six matches as they went on to win the tournament in Slovakia, developing a strong understanding in the middle with his teammate, who in turn has gone on to impress for the first team under Thomas Tuchel.

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

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

“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, improving day on day, and with luck I catch the eye of the England manager and get my chance.”