Back when the young midfielder made his local team debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his coach at the time assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
This prediction proved to be a bit of an understatement.
Now aged 22 and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his maiden summons to the full England team.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a proper blast from the past, a journey rarely seen in the modern era.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of becoming a professional football player, let alone featuring in the Premier League and playing for England as well,” Scott stated previously.
“It’s been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and things have transformed completely for myself and my family.”
But in what way did Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up here?
Developing in non-league
Scott’s path in football has not been a conventional one.
He was part of four and a half years in Southampton’s academy setup from the age of eight, leaving school early each Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.
Before his 13th birthday, though, they released him. The Cherries 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 opted to remain on the island and turn out for his hometown club.
“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to relax at my home with my mates at the weekend because I had missed almost four and a half years of doing that. Getting that slice of childhood again was something I definitely required.
“Building a bit of confidence by returning and taking part in island football was huge for me. That proved to be perhaps one of the most important factors that got me to this point.”
At the age of 16, Scott became the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a 57th-minute substitute in their league match at Phoenix Sports.
“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance commented back then.
“People have witnessed that – his retention 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 – chaired by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been tracking Scott’s early progress after an impressive beginning in men’s football and gave him a trial in late 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” said the player. “The first day I trained with the under-18s, the second day I was with the first team, which was a complete surprise.
“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in the capital, travelled back and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to sign a contract.”
In just 18 months, even well before his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut against the Hatters.
Scott made eighty-three league appearances for the club while in his teens, often being used as a wing-back – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – such was his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his skill to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he picked up the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and national team playmaker Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the EFL Championship’s best young player honour, was chosen in the league’s best XI and was named the club’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I think he will represent England and I think he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at the club, stated last year.
Within three months later, he joined the Cherries for a reported fee of £25m.
Getting his big move
Scott endured a difficult debut campaign with the Cherries, having to wait until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then being inconsistent of the team.
His second campaign was just as disrupted, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost four months.
“I had quite a good run at the close of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.
“That felt like yet another obstacle and it was turning out to be a pretty bad start for the first five months.”
But he was then called up by England for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.
He went on to start five of the England U21s’ six games as they went on to win the competition in Slovakia, forming a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun the current campaign just as strongly for his club, featuring in every game to help them to fifth in the standings.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” the player said earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I must keep progressing as a player, maintain my love for the game, getting better day on day, and with luck I impress the England manager and get my chance.”
