When the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach at the time predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
That statement turned out to be something of an understatement.
Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the midfielder has just received his first summons to the full Three Lions team.
His ascent from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a true throwback, a story rarely seen in the modern era.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, let alone playing in the top division and playing for the national team as well,” Scott said previously.
“It has been a incredible five or six years of my life, and things have transformed completely for myself and my family.”
But in what way did Scott, known affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up here?
Developing in the lower tiers
His path in football has been far from a typical one.
He was part of four and a half years in the Saints’ academy setup starting at eight, skipping school every Friday to travel by air from his island home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before his 13th birthday, though, they released him. Bournemouth gave him an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a while, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Instead, he opted to remain on Guernsey and play for his local team.
“My form had dipped and traveling every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he recalled.
“All I desired to relax at home with my friends at the weekend because I had missed almost several years of doing that. To have that slice of youth back was something I definitely required.
“To gain a bit of confidence by coming back and taking part in island football was huge for me. That proved to be probably the most crucial factors that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, Scott made history as the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a second-half replacement in their league match at the opposition.
“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the team because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance commented at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the way he runs with the ball, he’s a class act.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Championship side the Robins – owned by islander their owner – had been tracking his early progress after an promising start in adult football and gave him a try-out in late 2019.
“It was hectic,” recalled the player. “Day one I joined the youth team, the second day I trained with the senior squad, which was a total shock.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and by Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. It was almost a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”
In just a year and a half, even well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus the Hatters.
He made eighty-three league outings for the Robins while in his teens, often being deployed as a wing-back – and sometimes further forward as a attacking midfielder – such was his adaptability and versatility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was their best player.
With his ability to drive the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to City and national team attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the EFL Championship’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the league’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 think he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s boss at Ashton Gate, stated last year.
Within three months after, he signed for the Cherries for a reported transfer fee of £25m.
Getting his major transfer
The midfielder endured a difficult debut campaign with the club, having to wait until the autumn to earn his top-flight debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the starting XI.
His following season was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for nearly four months.
“There was a decent run at the end of last season, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained Scott.
“It was yet another setback and it was shaping up as a pretty bad year for the first half.”
But he was then selected by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.
He started five of the England U21s’ six games as they claimed victory in the competition in the host nation, forming a formidable understanding in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who himself has gone on to impress for the first team with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun the current campaign just as strongly for his club, featuring in all matches to help them to fifth in the table.
“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special occasions of my career,” the player said recently.
“It’s down to me, I must continue developing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, improving day on day, and with luck I impress the England manager and get my chance.”
