When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut against Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 fans in 2019, his manager at the time assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
That statement turned out to be something of an underestimation.
Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the midfielder has just received his first summons to the full Three Lions team.
His ascent from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a proper throwback, a story seldom seen in the modern game.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a professional football player, never mind featuring in the top division and playing for the national team too,” the player said in a recent interview.
“It has been a crazy five or six years of my life, and things have transformed drastically for myself and my family.”
But in what way did Scott, known affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up here?
Developing in the lower tiers
His football journey has been far from a typical one.
He spent four and a half years in Southampton’s youth system from the age of eight, skipping school each Friday to fly from his home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before his 13th birthday, though, they decided to let him go. The Cherries gave him an opportunity and he remained with them for a time, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he chose to stay on Guernsey and turn out for his local team.
“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over every week was becoming a bit too much,” he recalled.
“I just wanted to relax at my home with my friends at weekends because I missed almost several years of that experience. Getting that little bit of youth back was something I definitely required.
“Building a bit of self-belief by returning and playing local football was huge for me. It was probably the most crucial things that led me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the youngest player in the club’s records when he was introduced as a 57th-minute substitute in their league match at Phoenix Sports.
“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss the coach stated at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the way he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Second-tier club Bristol City – chaired by islander their owner – had been tracking Scott’s early progress after an impressive start in adult football and gave him a try-out in December 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” recalled Scott. “The first day I joined the under-18s, the second day I was with the senior squad, which was a total surprise.
“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in London, travelled back and by Friday, I took the field for the youth team and netted a hat-trick. From that point a done deal for me to sign a contract.”
Within 18 months, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against the Hatters.
Scott went on to make 83 league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being used as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was their best player.
Thanks to his skill to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to City and England playmaker Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he won the EFL Championship’s young player of the season award, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was voted Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I think he will represent England and I think he’ll go on to the top of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at the club, stated previously.
Less than three months later, he joined the Cherries for a understood transfer fee of £25m.
Securing his major transfer
The midfielder experienced a difficult first season with the Cherries, waiting until October to make his top-flight debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then being inconsistent of the team.
His following season was equally affected, this time by a surgery which sidelined him for nearly four months.
“There was quite a good run at the end of last season, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained Scott.
“That felt like yet another setback and it was turning out to be a pretty bad year for the first half.”
But he was then called up by England for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they claimed victory in the competition in Slovakia, forming a formidable partnership in the middle with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the senior side under the national coach.
And he has started this season equally as strongly for his club, featuring in all matches to guide them to the top five in the standings.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” the player stated earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to keep progressing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, getting better every day, and with luck I impress the national coach and get my chance.”
