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When Alex Scott made his local team debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach at the time predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”

This prediction turned out to be something of an understatement.

Now aged 22 and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the midfielder has earned his maiden call-up to the full England squad.

His ascent from non-league prodigy to possible international star is a proper throwback, a story seldom told in the modern era.

What’s next? The World Cup?

“Back then, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the Premier League and representing England as well,” the player said in a recent interview.

“It’s been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and things have changed drastically for me and my family.”

So in what way did Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up here?

Developing in non-league

Scott’s path in football has been far from a typical one.

He was part of over four years in Southampton’s academy setup from the age of eight, leaving school early each Friday to travel by air from his home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could train and feature for the club’s academy sides.

Prior to his 13th birthday, though, they released him. The Cherries were willing to offer him 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.

Instead, he opted to stay on Guernsey and play for his hometown club.

“My form had dipped and flying over weekly was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.

“All I desired to chill at home with my mates at the weekend because I missed almost several years of doing that. To have that little bit of youth again was a thing I really needed.

“To gain some self-belief by returning and playing island football was massive for me. That proved to be probably the most crucial things that led me to this point.”

At the age of 16, the teenager became the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a second-half replacement in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.

“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could get him in the team because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance commented at the time.

“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is exceptional, the manner he carries 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 his development after an impressive beginning in men’s football and arranged a try-out in December 2019.

“The whole experience was hectic,” said the player. “Day one I joined the youth team, the second day I trained with the senior squad, which was a complete shock.

“Midweek I played for his local side in London, returned home and by Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a hat-trick. From that point a certainty for me to sign a deal.”

Within a year and a half, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his first-team debut against the Hatters.

He went on to make eighty-three league outings for the club while in his teens, frequently being deployed as a wide defender – and sometimes further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his adaptability and versatility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was their best player.

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 nod to Manchester City and national team attacking midfielder Grealish.

By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s best young player honour, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was voted Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.

“No doubt, I believe he will represent England and I think he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the sport,” his former manager, the player’s manager at Ashton Gate, remarked last year.

Less than 90 days after, he joined Bournemouth for a reported transfer fee of £25m.

Getting his major transfer

Scott experienced a challenging debut campaign with the club, waiting until the autumn to make his top-flight debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the team.

His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for nearly four months.

“I had a decent run at the end of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” said Scott.

“That felt like almost another obstacle and it was shaping up as a pretty bad year for the first half.”

But he was then selected by the national team for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in get himself fit in time.

He started five of the England U21s’ six games as they claimed victory in the competition in Slovakia, developing a strong partnership in midfield with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the senior side under Thomas Tuchel.

And he has started this season just as impressively for his club, featuring in all matches to guide them to the top five in the standings.

“To play for the national team would be one of the proudest occasions 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 hopefully I impress the national coach and earn an opportunity.”