When the young midfielder made his local team debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager at the time assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”
That statement proved to be something of an understatement.
Now 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the midfielder has earned his maiden call-up to the full Three Lions team.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to potential England player is a true blast from the past, a story seldom seen in the modern game.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“In my mind, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, let alone playing in the Premier League and representing the national team as well,” Scott 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.”
But in what way did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up here?
Learning in non-league
His football journey has not been a typical one.
He spent over four years in the Saints’ academy setup starting at eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could attend training and feature for the club’s academy sides.
Before 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, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he opted to remain on Guernsey and turn out for his local team.
“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over every week was becoming overwhelming,” he recalled.
“All I desired to relax at my home with my mates at weekends because I missed nearly four and a half years of that experience. Getting that little bit of youth again was a thing I really required.
“To gain a bit of confidence by coming back and taking part in local football was massive for me. That proved to be probably one of the most important factors that led me to this point.”
At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the youngest player in the club’s records when he came on as a 57th-minute replacement in their league match at the opposition.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could include him in the team because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance stated at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is exceptional, the way he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Second-tier club Bristol City – chaired by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been tracking Scott’s development after an promising beginning in men’s football and gave him a try-out in late 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” recalled the player. “Day one I trained with the under-18s, the next day I trained with the senior squad, which was a complete surprise.
“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a three goals. It was almost a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”
In just 18 months, still well before his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut against Luton.
Scott made 83 league appearances for the club while in his teens, often being deployed as a wide defender – and sometimes further forward as a number 10 – such was his adaptability and flexibility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was their best player.
With his skill to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to City and national team attacking midfielder Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he claimed the EFL Championship’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was named the club’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I believe he’ll play for his country and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked last year.
Less than three months after, he signed for Bournemouth for a reported transfer fee of £25m.
Securing his big move
The midfielder experienced a difficult first season with the club, waiting until October to make his top-flight debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then being in and out of the team.
His second campaign was just as affected, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for nearly four months.
“I had a decent run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.
“That felt like almost another setback and it was turning out to be a pretty bad start for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and managed to get himself fit in time.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six games as they claimed victory in the tournament in the host nation, developing a strong partnership in the middle with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has excelled for the senior side under Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun the current campaign just as strongly for his club, playing in all matches to help them to fifth in the table.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” Scott said recently.
“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a player, keep enjoying football, improving day on day, and with luck I impress the national coach and get my chance.”
