When Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for Guernsey as a teenager against Phoenix Sports in 2019, few watching could have imagined the path ahead. That day, only 55 people were in attendance, yet his coach saw something special, predicting there was “more to come” from the young midfielder.
When Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for Guernsey as a teenager against Phoenix Sports in 2019, few watching could have imagined the path ahead. That day, only 55 people were in attendance, yet his coach saw something special, predicting there was “more to come” from the young midfielder.
Now 22 and a mainstay in Bournemouth’s midfield, Scott has completed a remarkable journey from local footballer to a senior England international. His development has been anything but conventional — a reminder that the long route to the top still exists.
Speaking to BBC Radio Guernsey, Scott reflected on how far he had come: “Back then, I never thought I’d become a professional footballer, let alone play in the Premier League or represent England. It’s been a wild five or six years that changed everything for me and my family.”
Scott began his football education with Southampton, joining their youth ranks at the age of eight. Every week he travelled from Guernsey to the mainland, juggling school with training sessions on the south coast. But by 13, his time at the Saints was over, and although Bournemouth offered him a place soon after, the constant travel eventually took its toll.
Preferring to stay home, he returned to play for Guernsey’s local side, where he could rediscover his enjoyment of the game. “Flying over every week became too much,” he explained. “I just wanted to be with my friends again and play without pressure. That confidence I built back home became one of the biggest factors in where I am today.”
At just 16, he made history as Guernsey’s youngest-ever player, coming off the bench in the Isthmian League Division One South East. Manager Tony Vance later described him as “a class act” with superb ball control and natural composure.
Scott’s talent soon drew attention from the mainland again. Bristol City — whose owner, Steve Lansdown, happens to be based in Guernsey — offered him a trial in 2019 after noticing his early performances. Within days, he impressed across several age levels, scoring a hat trick for the under-18s to seal a contract offer.
By the age of 17, he was making first-team appearances in the Championship, showing the kind of confidence and versatility that would define his early professional years. Whether operating as a wing-back or an attacking midfielder, Scott became a vital part of Bristol City’s setup.
His low socks and graceful ball-carrying drew comparisons to Jack Grealish, earning him the nickname “the Guernsey Grealish.” Recognition soon followed — Championship young player of the season, inclusion in the division’s team of the year, and both the senior and young player of the year awards at his club. Manager Nigel Pearson was convinced: “He’ll play for England and reach the very top.”
Scott’s move to Bournemouth in 2023, for a reported £25 million, marked another major step. However, his start was hindered by a knee injury that delayed his debut until October. Further setbacks followed, including a knee operation and a broken jaw, but he refused to lose focus.
Despite the interruptions, Scott ended the season strongly and earned selection for England’s Under-21s at the European Championship. Playing in five of their six matches, he helped the Young Lions lift the trophy in Slovakia, forming a strong midfield partnership with Elliot Anderson.
This season, Scott has been ever-present in a Bournemouth team punching above its weight, helping them climb to fifth in the Premier League. “It would be one of the proudest moments of my life to play for the England senior team,” he said earlier this year. “All I can do is keep improving and make sure I’m ready when the chance comes.”
From island football to international recognition, Alex Scott’s story is one of patience, persistence, and self-belief. The boy once dubbed “the Guernsey Grealish” now stands on the brink of representing his country — proof that even in the modern game, talent can still rise from the most unexpected places.
