Back when the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 fans in 2019, his manager back then predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
That prediction turned out to be a bit of an understatement.
Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has just received his maiden summons to the senior England squad.
His ascent from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a proper throwback, a story seldom seen in the modern game.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“In my mind, there was zero possibility of becoming a professional football player, let alone featuring in the top division and representing the national team too,” Scott stated in a recent interview.
“It has been a crazy five or six years of my life, and things have changed drastically for myself and my family.”
But in what way did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?
Developing in non-league
Scott’s football journey has not been a typical one.
He spent four and a half years in the Saints’ academy setup from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to he turned 13, however, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an option and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he opted to remain on the island and turn out for his local team.
“My form had dipped and traveling every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he recalled.
“I just wanted to relax at home with my friends at weekends because I had missed nearly four and a half years of that experience. To have that little bit of youth back was something I definitely required.
“Building a bit of confidence by returning and taking part in local football was massive for me. It was perhaps one of the most important things that led me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, Scott made history as the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a 57th-minute replacement in their Isthmian League fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance commented at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the way he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Second-tier club the Robins – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been tracking his early progress after an impressive beginning in adult football and arranged a trial in December 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” recalled Scott. “The first day I trained with the youth team, the second day I was with the first team, which was a total surprise.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I took the field for the youth team and netted a hat-trick. It was almost a certainty for me to sign a contract.”
In just a year and a half, still well before his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut against Luton.
Scott went on to make 83 league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being used as a wing-back – and sometimes further forward as a attacking midfielder – such was his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was their best player.
With his ability to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and national team playmaker Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s best young player award, was chosen in the division’s best XI and was named the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I think he’ll play for England and I’m sure he will progress to the pinnacle of the sport,” his former manager, the player’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked previously.
Within three months later, he joined Bournemouth for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his major transfer
The midfielder endured a difficult debut campaign with the club, having to wait until the autumn to earn his top-flight debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the starting XI.
His following season was equally affected, this time by a surgery which sidelined him for almost four months.
“There was quite a good run at the end of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.
“That felt like almost another obstacle and it was turning out to be quite a terrible year for the first five months.”
But he was then called up by the national team for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in regain fitness for the tournament.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they claimed victory in the competition in Slovakia, forming a formidable partnership in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the first team under the national coach.
And he has begun the current campaign just as impressively for his club, playing in every game to guide them to fifth in the table.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special occasions of my career,” the player said earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to keep progressing as a footballer, maintain my love for the game, getting better day on day, and with luck I impress the England manager and get my chance.”
