Back when the young midfielder made his local team debut against Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 spectators in 2019, his manager back then predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
This statement proved to be something of an understatement.
Now 22 years old and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has just received his maiden summons to the senior Three Lions squad.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a proper throwback, a story seldom told in the modern era.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“In my mind, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the top division and playing for England as well,” Scott stated previously.
“It’s been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for myself and my family.”
But in what way did Scott, known affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?
Developing in non-league
Scott’s football journey has been far from a typical one.
He was part of over four years in the Saints’ academy setup starting at eight, skipping school every Friday to travel by air from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could train and feature for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to he turned 13, however, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an option and he remained with them for a time, but, as he later admitted, his mind was not in it.
Rather, he chose to stay on the island and play for his local team.
“My form had dipped and traveling every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.
“All I desired to chill at home with my friends at weekends because I missed almost four and a half years of doing that. Getting that slice of youth back was something I definitely required.
“To gain a bit of self-belief by coming back and playing island football was massive for me. It was probably the most crucial things that led me to this point.”
At the age of 16, Scott became the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League fixture 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 stated at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is exceptional, 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 tracking his development after an promising beginning in men’s football and arranged a trial in December 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” recalled Scott. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the next day I was with the senior squad, which was a complete shock.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and on the Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. It was almost a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”
Within 18 months, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus the Hatters.
Scott went on to make eighty-three league appearances for the club while in his teens, often being used as a wing-back – and sometimes further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was their best player.
Thanks to his skill to drive the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and national team playmaker Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he won the EFL Championship’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was voted the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“No doubt, I think he’ll play for England and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the sport,” his former manager, the player’s manager at the club, stated previously.
Within 90 days later, he signed for the Cherries for a reported transfer fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his major transfer
The midfielder endured a difficult first season with the club, having to wait 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 following season was just as affected, this time by a surgery which sidelined him for almost several months.
“There was a decent run at the end of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained Scott.
“That felt like almost another obstacle and the year was turning out to be a pretty bad start for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in regain fitness for the tournament.
He started five of the England U21s’ six matches as they went on to win the competition in the host nation, developing a formidable understanding in the middle with Elliot Anderson, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side under the national coach.
And he has begun the current campaign just as strongly for Bournemouth, playing in every game to guide them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” Scott stated recently.
“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a player, keep enjoying the game, improving every day, and hopefully I impress the national coach and get my chance.”
