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Back when Alex Scott made his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 spectators in 2019, his manager at the time assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”

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

Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the playmaker has just received his first call-up to the full England squad.

His rise from non-league prodigy to possible England player is a true blast from the past, a story seldom told in the modern era.

What’s next? A major tournament?

“Back then, there was zero possibility of becoming a pro footballer, never mind playing in the Premier League and representing the national team as well,” the player said in a recent interview.

“It’s been a incredible five or six years of my life, and things have changed completely for me and my family.”

So how did Alex Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, find himself here?

Developing in non-league

His football journey has not been a typical one.

He spent over four years in Southampton’s academy setup from the age of eight, skipping school every Friday to travel by air from his home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could train and feature for the club’s academy sides.

Before he turned 13, however, they released him. Bournemouth gave him an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.

Instead, he chose to stay on the island and play for his local team.

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

“All I desired to chill at my 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 a thing I definitely needed.

“To gain some confidence by coming back and playing island football was massive for me. It was probably the most crucial factors that led me where I am today.”

At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a second-half replacement in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.

“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was figuring 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 manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”

Making a comeback to the professional game

Championship side the Robins – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been monitoring his early progress after an impressive start in adult football and arranged a trial in late 2019.

“It was hectic,” said Scott. “The first day I joined the youth team, the second day I trained with the senior squad, which was a total shock.

“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in the capital, returned home and on the Friday, I took the field 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 contract.”

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

He went on to make eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, often being used as a wing-back – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – such was his versatility and flexibility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was their best player.

With his skill to drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and England playmaker Jack Grealish.

At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the EFL Championship’s young player of the season award, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was voted Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.

“Without question, I believe he’ll play for his country and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s manager at the club, stated previously.

Within three months after, he joined the Cherries for a reported fee of £25m.

Getting his major transfer

Scott experienced a difficult debut campaign with the Cherries, having to wait until the autumn to make his top-flight debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then being inconsistent of the team.

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

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

“It was yet another setback and it was turning out to be quite a terrible year for the first half.”

But he was then selected by England for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit in time.

He went on to start five of the England U21s’ six matches as they claimed victory in the competition in Slovakia, forming a strong understanding in the middle with his teammate, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.

And he has started this season just as impressively for his club, featuring in every game to help them to fifth in the table.

“To play for the national team would be one of the proudest moments of my career,” the player stated earlier this season.

“It’s down to me, I’ve got to continue developing as a player, maintain my love for the game, improving day on day, and hopefully I impress the England manager and earn an opportunity.”