When the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 fans in 2019, his manager at the time assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
This prediction proved to be something of an understatement.
Now aged 22 and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the midfielder 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 throwback, a story seldom told in the modern era.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“In my mind, there was zero possibility of making it as a professional football player, never mind playing in the top division and representing the national team as well,” the player said in a recent interview.
“It’s been a crazy five or six years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for me and my family.”
But how did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up here?
Developing in the lower tiers
Scott’s path in football has not been a conventional one.
He was part of four and a half years in the Saints’ youth system starting at eight, skipping school every Friday to fly from his island home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could train and play for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to he turned 13, though, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an opportunity and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he chose to remain on Guernsey and turn out for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and traveling every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he recalled.
“I just wanted to relax at my home with my friends at weekends because I missed nearly several years of that experience. Getting that slice of childhood again was something I really needed.
“Building some confidence by returning and taking part in local football was huge for me. That proved to be perhaps the most crucial things 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 57th-minute replacement in their league fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the team because his talent is obvious,” manager the coach commented back then.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Second-tier club the Robins – owned by islander Steve Lansdown – had been tracking Scott’s early progress after an impressive beginning in adult football and gave him a try-out in December 2019.
“It was hectic,” recalled Scott. “The first day I joined the youth team, the second day I was with the first team, which was a total shock.
“Midweek I played for his local side in London, travelled back and by Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to sign a contract.”
Within a year and a half, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut versus Luton.
Scott made eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, often being used as a wing-back – and sometimes in attack as a attacking midfielder – such was his adaptability and versatility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
With his skill to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and England attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season award, was chosen in the division’s best XI and was voted the club’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I believe he will represent England and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at Ashton Gate, stated previously.
Less than three months later, he joined Bournemouth for a understood fee of £25m.
Getting his big move
Scott experienced a challenging first season with the club, having to wait until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself in and out of the team.
His following season was equally affected, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for almost four months.
“There was quite a good run at the end of last season, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained Scott.
“That felt like yet another setback and it was turning out to be a pretty bad year for the first five months.”
But he was then called up by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in regain fitness in time.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they claimed victory in the competition in Slovakia, forming a formidable partnership in midfield with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the senior side under Thomas Tuchel.
And he has started the current campaign equally as strongly for his club, featuring in all matches to help them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my life,” Scott stated earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I must continue developing as a footballer, keep enjoying football, improving every day, and with luck I impress the national coach and get my chance.”
