When the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his manager back then predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
This prediction turned out to be something of an underestimation.
Now 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has just received his maiden summons to the full England squad.
His rise from non-league prodigy to potential international star is a true throwback, a story seldom told in the modern era.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“In my mind, there was zero possibility of becoming a pro footballer, let alone featuring in the top division and representing England as well,” Scott stated in a recent interview.
“It’s been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and things have transformed completely for myself and my family.”
But in what way did Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself at this level?
Learning in non-league
Scott’s football journey has been far from a conventional one.
He was part of four and a half years in Southampton’s youth system starting at eight, skipping school each Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could train and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to he turned 13, though, they decided to let him go. The Cherries were willing to offer Scott an opportunity and he remained with them 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 recalled.
“All I desired to chill at home with my mates at weekends because I missed almost four and a half years of doing that. To have that little bit of youth again was something I really needed.
“Building a bit of confidence by returning and taking part in island football was massive for me. It was probably one of the most important factors that got me to this point.”
When he was just 16, the teenager became the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he came on as a 57th-minute replacement in their Isthmian League match at Phoenix Sports.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could include him in the team because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss the coach stated at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the manner he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Championship side the Robins – owned by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring his development after an promising start in adult football and arranged a try-out in December 2019.
“The whole experience was chaos,” recalled Scott. “The first day I trained with the youth team, the second day I trained with the first team, which was a complete shock.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in the capital, returned home and on the Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a three goals. It was almost a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”
In just 18 months, even well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his first-team debut against the Hatters.
Scott made eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, often being used as a wing-back – and sometimes further forward as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was their best player.
With his skill to carry the ball forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and England playmaker Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was voted Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I think he will represent England and I think he’ll go on to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s boss at Ashton Gate, stated last year.
Within three months after, he joined the Cherries for a understood transfer fee of £25m.
Securing his big move
Scott experienced a challenging first season with the club, having to wait until October to make his Premier League debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the starting XI.
His second campaign was equally disrupted, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost several months.
“There was quite a good run at the close of last season, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained Scott.
“That felt like yet another obstacle and it was turning out to be quite a terrible year for the first half.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the U21 Euros – and managed to get himself fit for the tournament.
He started five of the England U21s’ six matches as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, forming a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who himself has gone on to impress for the first team under the national coach.
And he has started this season just as impressively for Bournemouth, playing in all matches to guide them to the top five in the table.
“Representing the national team would be among the most special moments of my life,” the player stated earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I must keep progressing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, getting better day on day, and with luck I catch the eye of the England manager and get my chance.”
