Back when the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut against Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 fans in 2019, his manager back then assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
That statement proved to be something of an understatement.
Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his maiden summons to the senior England squad.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to potential England player is a proper throwback, a story seldom told in the modern era.
Next stop? The World Cup?
“In my mind, there was no chance of making it as a professional football player, never mind featuring in the top division and playing for England too,” Scott stated previously.
“It’s been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and things have transformed completely for me and my loved ones.”
So in what way did Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself here?
Learning in non-league
Scott’s path in football has not been a typical one.
He was part of four and a half years in Southampton’s youth system starting at eight, skipping school every Friday to travel by air from his island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.
Before his 13th birthday, however, they released him. The Cherries gave Scott an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind wasn’t fully committed.
Instead, he chose to remain on the island and turn out for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and flying over every week was becoming overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to chill at my home with my mates at the weekend because I had missed almost four and a half years of that experience. Getting that slice of youth back was a thing I definitely needed.
“Building a bit of confidence by coming back and taking part in local football was massive for me. That proved to be perhaps the most crucial factors that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, Scott made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a second-half substitute in their league fixture at the opposition.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the team because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance commented 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 professional game
Championship side the Robins – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been tracking his early progress after an promising beginning in men’s football and gave him a trial in December 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” recalled the player. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the second day I was with the first team, which was a total surprise.
“On the Wednesday 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 three goals. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”
In just 18 months, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus the Hatters.
He went on to make eighty-three league outings for the club while in his teens, frequently being used as a wide defender – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – such was his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was their best player.
Thanks to his ability to drive 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 national team playmaker Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he won the second tier’s young player of the season award, was selected in the division’s team of the year and was voted the club’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I think he’ll play for his country and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at Ashton Gate, remarked previously.
Within 90 days later, he signed for Bournemouth for a understood fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his big move
The midfielder experienced a difficult debut campaign with the club, waiting until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then finding himself inconsistent of the team.
His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost several months.
“I had quite a good 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 quite a terrible year for the first half.”
But he was then called up by the national team for the U21 Euros – and managed to regain fitness in time.
He started five of the England U21s’ six matches as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, forming a formidable partnership in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has excelled for the first team with the national coach.
And he has begun this season equally as strongly for his club, playing in all matches to guide them to fifth in the standings.
“To play for the national team would be among the most special moments of my life,” Scott said recently.
“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to keep progressing as a player, keep enjoying the game, getting better day on day, and hopefully I impress the England manager and get my chance.”
