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Back when Alex Scott made his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports before just 55 spectators in 2019, his manager back then assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”

This statement 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 maiden summons to the full England squad.

His ascent from non-league prodigy to potential international star is a true blast from the past, a journey rarely told in the modern era.

Next stop? A major tournament?

“In my mind, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, never mind playing in the top division and representing the national team too,” 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’, end up at this level?

Learning in non-league

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

He was part of over four years in Southampton’s academy setup starting at eight, skipping school every Friday to travel by air from his island home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could train and play for the club’s academy sides.

Before he turned 13, though, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.

Rather, he chose to stay on the island and play for his hometown club.

“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling every week was starting to feel a bit too much,” he explained.

“I just wanted to chill at home with my mates at weekends because I missed nearly four and a half years of that experience. Getting that slice of youth back was a thing I definitely needed.

“Building a bit of confidence by returning and playing island football was huge for me. It was perhaps the most crucial things that led 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 came on as a second-half replacement in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.

“I had trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the side because his talent is obvious,” manager Tony Vance commented at the time.

“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”

Making a comeback to the pro ranks

Second-tier club the Robins – chaired by islander their owner – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an impressive beginning in men’s football and arranged a try-out in late 2019.

“The whole experience was hectic,” recalled the player. “The first day I trained with the under-18s, the second day I was with the senior squad, which was a total surprise.

“Midweek I featured for his local side in London, returned home and on the Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a hat-trick. It was almost a done deal for me to sign a contract.”

Within a year and a half, still well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus Luton.

He made 83 league appearances for the Robins while still a teenager, frequently being used as a wide defender – and sometimes further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his adaptability and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.

Thanks to his skill to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and England playmaker Jack Grealish.

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

“Without question, I think he’ll play for his country and I think he’ll go on to the top of the sport,” his former manager, the player’s boss at the club, remarked last year.

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

Getting his big move

The midfielder experienced a challenging debut campaign with the club, having to wait until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then finding himself in and out of the team.

His second campaign was just as affected, this time by a surgery which sidelined him for nearly four months.

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

“It was almost another setback and the year was shaping up as quite a terrible year for the first five months.”

But he was then selected by the national team for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in regain fitness for the tournament.

He started five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they claimed victory in the tournament in the host nation, forming a formidable partnership in the middle with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.

And he has started this season just as strongly for Bournemouth, featuring in all matches to help them to fifth in the table.

“To play for the national team would be among the most special occasions of my life,” the player said earlier this season.

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