When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 fans in 2019, his manager at the time predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”
That prediction proved to be something of an understatement.
Now aged 22 and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has just received his maiden summons to the full Three Lions squad.
His rise from non-league prodigy to potential England player is a true throwback, a journey rarely told in the modern era.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the Premier League and playing for the national team too,” the player said previously.
“It’s been a crazy half-dozen 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?
Developing in non-league
His football journey has not been a conventional one.
He spent four and a half years in the Saints’ academy setup from the age of eight, skipping school each Friday to travel by air from his island home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to his 13th birthday, though, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a while, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind wasn’t fully committed.
Instead, he chose to stay on Guernsey and play for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and traveling weekly was becoming overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to chill at home with my mates at the weekend because I had missed almost several years of that experience. To have that slice of youth again was a thing I definitely required.
“Building a bit of confidence by coming back and playing local football was huge for me. That proved to be probably the most crucial factors that led me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, Scott became the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a second-half replacement in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.
“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could include him in the team because he’s that good,” manager Tony Vance stated at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the way he runs with the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Championship side the Robins – owned by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been tracking his development after an promising start in men’s football and gave him a trial in late 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” recalled the player. “The first day I trained with the under-18s, the next day I was with the first team, which was a total shock.
“On the Wednesday I featured for Guernsey FC in the capital, returned home and by Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”
Within 18 months, still well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus the Hatters.
He went on to make eighty-three league outings for the Robins while in his teens, often being used as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was their best player.
With his ability to carry the ball forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to City and national team playmaker Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was voted the club’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I believe he’ll play for his country and I’m sure he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the sport,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at Ashton Gate, stated last year.
Less than 90 days after, he joined the Cherries for a reported transfer fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his big move
Scott experienced a challenging first season with the club, waiting until October to make his top-flight debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the team.
His following season was equally disrupted, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for nearly four months.
“I had quite a good run at the close of last season, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.
“It was almost another setback and it was turning out to be a pretty bad year for the first half.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six games as they claimed victory in the tournament in Slovakia, forming a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has gone on to impress for the first team with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has started the current campaign just as impressively for Bournemouth, featuring in all matches to help them to the top five in the table.
“Representing the national team would be one of the proudest occasions of my career,” the player said earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to continue developing as a player, maintain my love for football, getting better day on day, and with luck I impress the England manager and get my chance.”
