When the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his coach back then assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”
That statement turned out to be a bit of an understatement.
Now aged 22 and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the playmaker has just received his maiden summons to the senior England team.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to potential international star is a proper throwback, a journey seldom seen in the modern game.
Next stop? The World Cup?
“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, let alone playing in the Premier League and representing England as well,” the player stated previously.
“It has been a crazy five or six years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for me and my loved ones.”
But how did Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself here?
Learning in the lower tiers
Scott’s football journey has not been a typical one.
He was part of over four years in Southampton’s youth system from the age of eight, skipping school every Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could attend training and feature for the club’s academy sides.
Before he turned 13, however, they decided to let him go. The Cherries were willing to offer Scott an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, as he later admitted, his mind wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he opted to stay on Guernsey and turn out for his local team.
“My form had dipped and traveling weekly was becoming overwhelming,” he explained.
“All I desired to chill at home with my mates at the weekend because I missed nearly several years of doing that. Getting that little bit of youth back was a thing I really required.
“To gain a bit of confidence by returning and playing local football was massive for me. It was probably one of the most important factors that led me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he came on as a second-half replacement in their league match at the opposition.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the side because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss the coach commented back then.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the way he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Second-tier club the Robins – chaired by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s early progress after an promising beginning in men’s football and arranged a trial in late 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” said the player. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the next day I trained with the first team, which was a total surprise.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in London, travelled back and on the 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 18 months, even well before his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut against Luton.
Scott went on to make eighty-three league appearances for the club while in his teens, often being used as a wing-back – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – such was his adaptability and flexibility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
With his ability to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to City and national team playmaker Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the EFL Championship’s best young player award, was chosen in the division’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I think he will represent England and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s manager at the club, stated last year.
Within three months after, he joined the Cherries for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his big move
Scott endured a difficult first season with the club, having to wait until October to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then finding himself inconsistent of the starting XI.
His following season was equally affected, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for almost several months.
“I had a decent run at the end of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I broke my jaw,” said Scott.
“That felt like yet another setback and it was turning out to be quite a terrible year for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by England for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in regain fitness in time.
He started five of the England U21s’ six matches as they claimed victory in the tournament in the host nation, developing a formidable partnership in the middle with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the first team under Thomas Tuchel.
And he has started the current campaign just as impressively for Bournemouth, playing in every game to guide them to fifth in the table.
“To play for the national team would be among the most special moments of my career,” Scott said earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, improving day on day, and hopefully I impress the national coach and get my chance.”
