When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 fans in 2019, his manager back then predicted, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”
That prediction proved to be something of an underestimation.
Today 22 years old and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the midfielder has earned his maiden summons to the senior Three Lions team.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to potential international star is a proper blast from the past, a journey rarely seen in the modern game.
Next stop? The World Cup?
“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a professional football player, never mind featuring in the Premier League and representing England as well,” the player said previously.
“It’s been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and things have changed drastically for me and my loved ones.”
But in what way did Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself here?
Developing in the lower tiers
Scott’s football journey has been far from a typical one.
He spent over four years in the Saints’ youth system starting at eight, skipping school each Friday to travel by air from his home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could train and feature for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth gave him an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart was not in it.
Rather, he opted to remain on Guernsey and turn out for his local team.
“My form had dipped and traveling weekly was becoming overwhelming,” he recalled.
“All I desired to relax at my home with my friends at weekends because I missed almost several years of doing that. To have that slice of youth again was something I definitely required.
“To gain a bit of confidence by coming back and taking part in local football was massive for me. That proved to be probably the most crucial factors that got me to this point.”
At the age of 16, Scott became the youngest player in the club’s records when he came on as a second-half replacement in their Isthmian League fixture at the opposition.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the team because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss the coach stated back then.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Second-tier club the Robins – chaired by islander Steve Lansdown – had been tracking Scott’s development after an promising beginning in men’s football and arranged a try-out in late 2019.
“It was chaos,” recalled Scott. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the second day I was with the first team, which was a total surprise.
“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in the capital, returned home and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a hat-trick. From that point a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”
Within a year and a half, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his first-team debut versus Luton.
Scott went on to make eighty-three league outings for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being used as a wide defender – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – such was his adaptability and flexibility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was their best player.
With his skill to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to City and national team attacking midfielder Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the EFL Championship’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the division’s team of the year and was named the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“No doubt, I believe he’ll play for England and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked last year.
Less than three months after, he signed for Bournemouth for a reported fee of £25m.
Getting his major transfer
The midfielder endured a difficult first season with the Cherries, waiting until the autumn to earn his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the starting XI.
His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost four months.
“I had a decent run at the end of last season, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” said Scott.
“It was yet another obstacle and it was turning out to be a pretty bad year for the first five months.”
But he was then called up by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and managed to regain fitness for the tournament.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, forming a formidable partnership in the middle with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has excelled for the first team under the national coach.
And he has started this season equally as strongly for his club, featuring in all matches to guide them to fifth in the table.
“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” Scott said recently.
“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to keep progressing as a player, maintain my love for football, improving day on day, and hopefully I impress the England manager and get my chance.”
