When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his coach at the time predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
That prediction proved to be something of an understatement.
Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has earned his first summons to the senior England team.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to possible England player is a proper blast from the past, a story seldom seen in the modern game.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, let alone playing in the Premier League and representing the national team as well,” the player said previously.
“It has been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have changed drastically for myself and my loved ones.”
But how did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, find himself at this level?
Learning in non-league
His path in football has been far from a typical one.
He spent over four years in the Saints’ academy setup starting at eight, skipping school each Friday to travel by air from his home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a while, but, as he later admitted, his heart was not in it.
Rather, he opted to stay on the island and play for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and flying over weekly was becoming a bit too much,” he explained.
“All I desired to relax at my home with my friends at weekends because I had missed almost several years of that experience. To have that little bit of childhood back was something I really required.
“Building some confidence by coming back and taking part in local football was massive for me. It was perhaps the most crucial things that led me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, Scott became the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could get him in the team because his talent is obvious,” manager the coach stated at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is exceptional, the manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Championship side the Robins – chaired by islander their owner – had been tracking Scott’s development after an impressive start in adult football and gave him a try-out in late 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” recalled the player. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the second day I was with the senior squad, which was a complete surprise.
“On the Wednesday I featured for Guernsey FC in the capital, returned home and by Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. It was almost a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”
In just 18 months, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut against Luton.
Scott made eighty-three league outings for the Robins while in his teens, often being used as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a number 10 – such was his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
With his skill to drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to Manchester 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 award, was selected in the division’s best XI and was voted the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I think 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 manager at the club, remarked last year.
Less than 90 days after, he signed for the Cherries for a reported fee of £25m.
Getting his major transfer
Scott endured a difficult debut campaign with the Cherries, having to wait until the autumn to earn his top-flight debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then being in and out of the starting XI.
His second campaign was just as affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for nearly four months.
“I had quite a good run at the end of last season, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained he.
“That felt like yet another obstacle and it was shaping up as 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 in time.
He started five of the England U21s’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, forming a strong partnership in the middle with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has excelled for the first team under the national coach.
And he has begun this season just as strongly for his club, featuring in every game to help them to fifth in the table.
“To play for the national 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 continue developing as a player, keep enjoying football, getting better day on day, and hopefully I impress the England manager and earn an opportunity.”
