When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut against Phoenix Sports before just 55 fans in 2019, his manager at the time predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
That prediction proved to be a bit of an understatement.
Now aged 22 and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has earned his first call-up to the full Three Lions team.
His ascent from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a proper blast from the past, a story rarely seen in the modern era.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the top division and representing England as well,” Scott stated in a recent interview.
“It’s been a incredible five or six years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for me and my family.”
But in what way did Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself here?
Learning in non-league
Scott’s path in football has been far from a typical one.
He was part of over four years in the Saints’ academy setup starting at eight, leaving school early each Friday to travel by air from his island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and feature for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an option and he remained with them for a time, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he chose to remain on Guernsey and play for his local team.
“My form had dipped and flying over weekly was starting to feel overwhelming,” he recalled.
“All I desired to relax at my home with my friends at the weekend because I missed almost four and a half years of that experience. Getting that little bit of childhood again was something I really needed.
“Building a bit of confidence by coming back and playing island football was massive for me. That proved to be perhaps the most crucial factors that got me to this point.”
At the age of 16, Scott made history as the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a 57th-minute substitute in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance stated at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the way he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the professional game
Second-tier club the Robins – owned by islander their owner – had been tracking Scott’s early progress after an impressive start in adult football and gave him a try-out in December 2019.
“The whole experience was chaos,” said Scott. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the next day I was with the first team, which was a complete shock.
“On the Wednesday I featured for Guernsey FC in London, returned home 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 put pen to paper on a contract.”
Within 18 months, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut against the Hatters.
He made eighty-three league outings for the Robins while still a teenager, often being deployed as a wing-back – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – such was his adaptability and flexibility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was their best player.
Thanks to his skill to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and national team playmaker Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the second tier’s best young player honour, 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 think he’ll go on to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at Ashton Gate, stated last year.
Less than three months later, he joined Bournemouth for a understood fee of £25m.
Getting his big move
The midfielder endured a challenging first season with the Cherries, having to wait until the autumn to make his top-flight debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then being in and out of the starting XI.
His following season was equally affected, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for nearly several months.
“I had quite a good run at the end of last season, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.
“It was almost another obstacle and it was turning out to be a pretty bad start for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by the national team 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 claimed victory in the competition in the host nation, developing a formidable partnership in the middle with Elliot Anderson, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side under Thomas Tuchel.
And he has started this season just as impressively for his club, playing in all matches to guide them to the top five in the standings.
“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my life,” the player said recently.
“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to keep progressing as a footballer, maintain my love for the game, improving day on day, and with luck I catch the eye of the national coach and get my chance.”
