When the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports before just 55 spectators in 2019, his coach at the time predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
That statement proved to be a bit of an underestimation.
Now aged 22 and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his maiden call-up to the full Three Lions squad.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to possible international star is a true blast from the past, a story seldom seen in the modern era.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“In my mind, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the Premier League and representing the national team too,” the player said in a recent interview.
“It’s been a crazy five or six years of my life, and circumstances have changed drastically for me and my family.”
But in what way did Scott, known affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up at this level?
Learning in non-league
Scott’s football journey has not been a typical one.
He was part of four and a half years in Southampton’s youth system starting at eight, leaving school early each Friday to travel by air from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could train and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to he turned 13, however, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth gave him an option and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind was not in it.
Rather, he chose to stay on Guernsey and turn out for his local team.
“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling weekly was starting to feel overwhelming,” he recalled.
“I just wanted to relax at home with my mates at the weekend because I missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. To have that slice of childhood back was something I definitely required.
“Building a bit of confidence by coming back and taking part in local football was massive for me. It was probably one of the most important factors that got me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, Scott became the youngest player in the club’s records when he came on as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the team because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss the coach commented at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is exceptional, the way he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the professional game
Championship side Bristol City – chaired by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring his early progress after an impressive beginning in adult football and arranged a try-out in December 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” said Scott. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the next day I was with the first team, which was a complete surprise.
“On the Wednesday I played for Guernsey FC in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a hat-trick. It was almost a done deal for me to sign a deal.”
Within a year and a half, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut against the Hatters.
He made eighty-three league outings for the club while in his teens, frequently being used as a wide defender – and sometimes further forward as a number 10 – such was his adaptability and flexibility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his skill to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and national team attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s best young player award, was selected in the league’s best XI and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I think he’ll play for England and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s boss at the club, stated last year.
Less than 90 days later, he signed for the Cherries for a understood fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his major transfer
Scott endured a challenging 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 in and out of the team.
His following season was equally disrupted, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for nearly four months.
“I had a decent run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained Scott.
“It was yet another obstacle and it was turning out to be quite a terrible year for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and managed to regain fitness for the tournament.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they claimed victory in the competition in the host nation, developing a strong understanding in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has excelled for the senior side under the national coach.
And he has begun this season just as strongly for Bournemouth, playing in every game to guide them to the top five in the standings.
“Representing the England senior team would be one of the proudest moments of my career,” the player stated recently.
“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a player, maintain my love for football, getting better day on day, and with luck I impress the national coach and get my chance.”
