Back when the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager back then predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”
This statement turned out to be a bit of an understatement.
Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has earned his first summons to the senior England squad.
His ascent from eighth-tier talent to potential international star is a proper throwback, a journey rarely seen in the modern game.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“In my mind, there was zero possibility of becoming a pro footballer, let alone featuring in the Premier League and representing the national team as well,” Scott said previously.
“It’s been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for me and my family.”
So how did Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself here?
Learning in non-league
Scott’s football journey has not been a typical one.
He spent four and a half years in Southampton’s youth system starting at eight, skipping school each Friday to fly from his island home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they released him. Bournemouth gave Scott an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, as he later admitted, his mind was not in it.
Instead, he chose to remain on the island and play for his local team.
“My form had dipped and flying over weekly was becoming overwhelming,” he recalled.
“I just wanted to relax at home with my mates at the weekend because I had missed almost several years of that experience. Getting that little bit of childhood back was something I definitely required.
“Building a bit of confidence by returning and taking part in island football was massive for me. It was probably the most crucial factors that got me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, the teenager made history as the youngest player in the club’s records 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,” manager the coach commented back then.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is exceptional, the manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the professional game
Second-tier club the Robins – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been tracking Scott’s development after an impressive start in men’s football and arranged a trial in late 2019.
“It was chaos,” recalled Scott. “Day one I joined the youth team, the second day I trained with the senior squad, which was a total surprise.
“On the Wednesday I featured for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and by Friday, I took the field for the youth team and scored a hat-trick. It was almost a done deal for me to sign a contract.”
Within 18 months, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut versus the Hatters.
Scott went on to make 83 league outings for the club while still a teenager, often being used as a wide defender – and occasionally in attack as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role 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 England attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he won the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the division’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I believe he’ll play for England and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked previously.
Within 90 days later, he joined the Cherries for a understood transfer fee of £25m.
Getting his major transfer
The midfielder experienced a challenging first season with the Cherries, having to wait until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then being inconsistent of the team.
His following season was just as disrupted, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for nearly four months.
“I had a decent run at the close of last season, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained he.
“That felt like almost another setback and the year was turning out to be a pretty bad start for the first half.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in regain fitness in time.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they claimed victory in the competition in Slovakia, developing a formidable understanding in the middle with his teammate, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side under Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun this season just as impressively for Bournemouth, featuring in all matches to help them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my life,” the player said recently.
“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, getting better day on day, and with luck I impress the national coach and earn an opportunity.”
