Back when the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut against Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach at the time predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
This statement turned out to be something of an underestimation.
Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his first summons to the senior England team.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to possible England player is a true blast from the past, a story seldom seen in the modern era.
Next stop? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of making it as a professional football player, let alone playing in the top division and representing the national team as well,” Scott said in a recent interview.
“It has been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have changed drastically for me and my loved ones.”
But in what way did Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, find himself at this level?
Learning in the lower tiers
His path in football has not been a typical one.
He spent over four years in the Saints’ academy setup starting at eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to his 13th birthday, though, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind wasn’t fully committed.
Instead, he opted to stay on the island and play for his hometown club.
“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over weekly was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.
“All I desired to relax at home with my friends at the weekend because I missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. Getting that slice of childhood back was something I definitely needed.
“Building some self-belief by returning and playing island football was huge for me. It was perhaps the most crucial things that led me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, the teenager made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a 57th-minute replacement in their Isthmian League fixture at the opposition.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could get him in the team because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss the coach stated back then.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Championship side the Robins – owned by islander Steve Lansdown – had been tracking his development after an promising beginning in adult football and gave him a trial in late 2019.
“It was hectic,” said the player. “Day one I joined the youth team, the next day I trained with the senior squad, which was a total surprise.
“On the Wednesday I featured for Guernsey FC in London, travelled back and by Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”
Within 18 months, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus the Hatters.
Scott made eighty-three league appearances for the club while in his teens, often being deployed as a wing-back – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was their best player.
With his skill to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and national team attacking midfielder Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s best young player award, was chosen in the league’s best XI and was voted Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.
“No doubt, I believe he will represent England and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the sport,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at the club, remarked previously.
Within three months after, he joined the Cherries for a reported fee of £25m.
Getting his big move
Scott endured a difficult debut campaign with the club, waiting until October to earn his top-flight debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then being in and out of the team.
His following season was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost four months.
“I had quite a good run at the close of last season, which was good to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said Scott.
“That felt like almost another setback and the year was turning out to be a pretty bad start for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by England for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in regain fitness for the tournament.
He went on to start five of the England U21s’ six games as they claimed victory in the competition in the host nation, forming a strong understanding in the middle with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has gone on to impress for the first team with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has started this season equally as impressively for his club, playing in all matches to guide them to the top five in the table.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” the player said recently.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to keep progressing as a player, keep enjoying the game, getting better day on day, and with luck I catch the eye of the England manager and earn an opportunity.”
