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Back when Alex Scott made his local team debut against Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his coach at the time assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”

That statement proved to be something of an understatement.

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

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

What’s next? The World Cup?

“Back then, there was zero possibility of becoming a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the top division and playing for the national team as well,” the player stated in a recent interview.

“It’s been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have transformed drastically for myself and my loved ones.”

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

Learning in the lower tiers

Scott’s football journey has not been a typical one.

He was part of four and a half years in the Saints’ 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.

Prior to he turned 13, though, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an option and he remained with them for a while, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind was not in it.

Rather, he chose to stay on the island and turn out for his local team.

“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over weekly was becoming a bit too much,” he recalled.

“All I desired to relax at home with my mates at weekends because I missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. To have that slice of childhood again was something I really required.

“Building a bit of self-belief by returning and playing local football was massive for me. It was probably one of the most important factors that got 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 replacement in their Isthmian League fixture at the opposition.

“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could include him in the side 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 manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”

Making a comeback to the professional game

Championship side Bristol City – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been tracking his early progress after an promising beginning in men’s football and gave him a trial in late 2019.

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

“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and by Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a hat-trick. From that point a done deal for me to sign a deal.”

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

Scott went on to make 83 league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, often being used as a wide defender – and sometimes further forward as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.

Thanks to his skill to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to City and England attacking midfielder Grealish.

By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the second tier’s best young player honour, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was voted the club’s top player and top youngster.

“No doubt, I think he’ll play for England and I think he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the sport,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at the club, remarked previously.

Less than 90 days after, he signed for Bournemouth for a understood fee of £25m.

Getting his big move

The midfielder experienced a difficult debut campaign with the club, having to wait until October to make his top-flight debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the team.

His following season was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost several months.

“I had quite a good run at the close of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained Scott.

“It was yet another setback and it was shaping up as a pretty bad start for the first five months.”

But he was then selected by the national team for the U21 Euros – and managed to regain fitness for the tournament.

He started five of the England U21s’ six games as they went on to win the competition in the host nation, developing a strong understanding in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has excelled for the first team under Thomas Tuchel.

And he has begun the current campaign equally as strongly for Bournemouth, featuring in all matches to help them to fifth in the table.

“To play for the national team would be one of the proudest occasions of my life,” Scott stated recently.

“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to keep progressing as a footballer, maintain my love for the game, improving day on day, and with luck I impress the England manager and get my chance.”