Back when the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach back then predicted, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”
That prediction turned out to be a bit of an underestimation.
Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the playmaker has just received his maiden summons to the senior England squad.
His ascent from eighth-tier talent to possible England player is a true throwback, a story rarely seen in the modern era.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, let alone featuring in the Premier League and representing the national team as well,” Scott stated in a recent interview.
“It has been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and things have transformed completely for myself and my loved ones.”
But how did Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself here?
Developing in the lower tiers
Scott’s football journey has not been a conventional one.
He was part of over four years in the Saints’ academy setup from the age of eight, leaving school early each Friday to travel by air from his home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before he turned 13, though, they released him. The Cherries were willing to offer Scott an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a while, but, as he later admitted, his mind was not in it.
Instead, he opted to stay on the island and play for his local team.
“My form had dipped and traveling weekly was becoming overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to chill at home with my friends at weekends because I missed almost several years of that experience. To have that little bit of youth again was a thing I really needed.
“Building some confidence by returning and taking part in local football was huge 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 became the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a second-half replacement in their Isthmian League match at Phoenix Sports.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could include him in the team because he’s that good,” manager the coach stated at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Championship side the Robins – chaired by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring his development after an promising start in men’s football and arranged a try-out in late 2019.
“It was hectic,” recalled the player. “Day one I trained with the under-18s, the second day I was with the first team, which was a complete shock.
“On the Wednesday I featured for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and on the Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”
In just a year and a half, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut versus Luton.
He made eighty-three league outings for the club while still a teenager, often being used as a wing-back – and sometimes in attack as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was their best player.
Thanks to his skill to drive the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and England playmaker Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he won the second tier’s best young player award, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was voted the club’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I think he will represent England and I think he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s boss at the club, remarked previously.
Less than 90 days after, he joined the Cherries for a understood transfer fee of £25m.
Securing his big move
The midfielder experienced a difficult debut campaign 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 second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost four months.
“There was quite a good run at the end of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained he.
“That felt like almost another obstacle and the year was turning out to be quite a terrible start for the first half.”
But he was then selected by England for the U21 Euros – and managed to regain fitness in time.
He went on to start five of the England U21s’ six games as they claimed victory in the competition in Slovakia, developing a strong partnership in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has gone on to impress for the senior side under the national coach.
And he has started the current campaign just as strongly for his club, featuring in all matches to guide them to the top five in the standings.
“Representing the England senior team would be one of the proudest moments of my life,” Scott stated recently.
“It’s down to me, I must continue developing as a player, maintain my love for football, getting better every day, and with luck I catch the eye of the England manager and get my chance.”
