When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his coach back then predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
This statement proved to be a bit of an understatement.
Today 22 years old and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has just received his first call-up to the full Three Lions team.
His rise from non-league prodigy to possible England player is a true throwback, a journey rarely told in the modern era.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of becoming a pro footballer, let alone featuring in the Premier League and playing for England as well,” the player stated in a recent interview.
“It has been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and things have transformed completely for myself and my family.”
So in what way did Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, find himself here?
Developing in non-league
Scott’s football journey has not been a typical one.
He spent over four years in Southampton’s youth system starting at eight, leaving school early each Friday to fly from his island home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could train and play for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they released him. The Cherries gave Scott an opportunity and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind was not in it.
Instead, he opted to remain on Guernsey and turn out for his hometown club.
“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over every week was starting to feel a bit too much,” he recalled.
“All I desired to chill at home with my mates at weekends because I had missed almost several years of doing that. To have that little bit of youth again was a thing I really needed.
“Building some self-belief by coming back and taking part in island football was massive for me. That proved to be probably one of the most important things that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, Scott became the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a 57th-minute replacement in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the team because he’s that good,” manager Tony Vance commented back then.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the way he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the professional game
Championship side the Robins – chaired by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an impressive start in men’s football and arranged a trial in December 2019.
“It was hectic,” recalled Scott. “Day one I trained with the under-18s, the second day I was with the senior squad, which was a complete surprise.
“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and by Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a hat-trick. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”
Within 18 months, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut against the Hatters.
He went on to make eighty-three league outings for the club while in his teens, often being used as a wide defender – and occasionally in attack 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 ability to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he picked up the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to City and national team 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 best XI and was voted Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I think he will represent England and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s manager at Ashton Gate, stated last year.
Less than three months later, he signed for Bournemouth for a understood transfer fee of £25m.
Getting his big move
Scott endured a challenging first season with the Cherries, waiting until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the team.
His second campaign was equally disrupted, this time by a surgery which sidelined him for almost four months.
“I had a decent run at the end of last season, which was nice to have, then I broke my jaw,” said Scott.
“It was yet another obstacle and it was shaping up as a pretty bad year for the first five months.”
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 Young Lions’ six matches as they went on to win the tournament in Slovakia, forming a formidable understanding in the middle with his teammate, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side under the national coach.
And he has started this season just as strongly for his club, featuring in every game to guide them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the national team would be one of the proudest occasions of my life,” the player said earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, getting better day on day, and with luck I impress the England manager and get my chance.”
