When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports before just 55 fans in 2019, his manager back then assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”
That prediction turned out to be a bit of an understatement.
Now 22 years old and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the midfielder has earned his maiden summons to the full England team.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to possible international star is a true throwback, a story seldom seen in the modern game.
Next stop? The World Cup?
“In my mind, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, never mind playing in the top division and playing for the national team as well,” Scott said in a recent interview.
“It’s been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for myself and my loved ones.”
So in what way did Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself at this level?
Developing in non-league
Scott’s path in football has been far from a conventional one.
He spent four and a half years in the Saints’ youth system starting at eight, leaving school early each Friday to fly from his island home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to his 13th birthday, though, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an opportunity and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart was not in it.
Rather, he opted to stay on the island and play for his hometown club.
“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling weekly was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.
“All I desired to relax at my home with my friends at weekends because I had missed nearly four and a half years of that experience. Getting that slice of childhood back was something I really needed.
“Building some self-belief by coming back and playing island football was huge for me. It was probably one of the most important factors that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager became the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he came on as a 57th-minute substitute in their league fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the team because he’s that good,” manager the coach stated back then.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the way he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Championship side the Robins – chaired by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring his early progress after an promising start in adult football and arranged a trial in late 2019.
“It was hectic,” recalled the player. “Day one I joined the youth team, the second day I was with the first team, which was a complete shock.
“On the Wednesday I played for his local side in the capital, travelled back and by Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a hat-trick. From that point a certainty for me to sign a deal.”
In just 18 months, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against Luton.
Scott went on to make eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while still a teenager, often being used as a wide defender – and sometimes further forward as a number 10 – demonstrating his adaptability and flexibility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his ability to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and England playmaker Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he claimed the EFL Championship’s best young player award, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I believe he’ll play for his country and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s manager at Ashton Gate, remarked last year.
Within 90 days after, he joined Bournemouth for a understood transfer fee of £25m.
Securing his big move
The midfielder experienced a challenging debut campaign with the club, waiting until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then being in and out of the team.
His second campaign was just as disrupted, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost several months.
“There was quite a good run at the close of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained he.
“It was almost another obstacle and the year was shaping up as quite a terrible start for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the U21 Euros – and managed to regain fitness for the tournament.
He started five of the England U21s’ six games as they claimed victory in the tournament in Slovakia, forming a formidable understanding in the middle with Elliot Anderson, who himself has excelled for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has begun this season just as impressively for his club, featuring in all matches to help them to the top five in the table.
“To play for the England senior team would be one of the proudest occasions of my life,” Scott said recently.
“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, improving day on day, and hopefully I impress the England manager and get my chance.”
