When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach back then assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”
That statement turned out to be a bit of an understatement.
Today 22 years old and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his first call-up to the senior England team.
His rise from non-league prodigy to potential England player is a proper blast from the past, a journey rarely told in the modern game.
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 representing England as well,” Scott stated in a recent interview.
“It has been a crazy five or six years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for me and my loved ones.”
But in what way did Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?
Developing in non-league
Scott’s football journey has not been a conventional one.
He was part of four and a half years in the Saints’ youth system from the age of eight, skipping school every Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before his 13th birthday, however, they decided to let him go. The Cherries gave Scott an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a while, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind was not in it.
Rather, he opted to stay on Guernsey and turn out for his local team.
“My form had dipped and traveling every week was becoming a bit too much,” he explained.
“All I desired to chill at my home with my mates at weekends because I missed nearly four and a half years of that experience. Getting that slice of childhood again was a thing I really needed.
“To gain a bit of self-belief by coming back and taking part in local football was huge for me. It was probably one of the most important factors that led me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, Scott became the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he came on as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League fixture at the opposition.
“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 back then.
“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the way he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Championship side the Robins – owned by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring his early progress after an promising start in men’s football and arranged a trial in December 2019.
“It was hectic,” recalled Scott. “Day one I trained with the under-18s, the next day I trained with the first team, which was a complete shock.
“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in the capital, travelled back and by Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a hat-trick. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”
Within 18 months, even 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, frequently being deployed as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – such was his adaptability and versatility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was their best player.
With his skill to drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he picked up the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to City and national team playmaker Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s best young player award, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was voted the club’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I think he’ll play for England and I’m sure he will progress to the pinnacle of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s boss at the club, remarked last year.
Less than three months after, he signed for Bournemouth for a reported transfer fee of £25m.
Getting his big move
Scott endured a challenging debut campaign with the Cherries, having to wait until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent 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 a decent run at the close of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained he.
“It was almost another setback and it was shaping up as a pretty bad year for the first half.”
But he was then called up by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and managed to get himself fit in time.
He started five of the England U21s’ six matches as they went on to win the tournament in Slovakia, forming a formidable understanding in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun this season equally as strongly for Bournemouth, featuring 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 earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to keep progressing as a player, 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.”
