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Back when the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut against Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his coach back then assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”

That statement proved to be a bit of an understatement.

Now 22 years old and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the midfielder has just received his first summons to the senior Three Lions squad.

His rise from non-league prodigy to possible international star is a proper throwback, a story rarely told in the modern game.

What’s next? The World Cup?

“In my mind, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the Premier League and representing the national team as well,” Scott said previously.

“It’s been a incredible five or six years of my life, and circumstances have changed drastically for myself and my loved ones.”

But in what way did Alex Scott, known fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself here?

Developing in the lower tiers

His path in football has not been a typical one.

He spent four and a half years in the Saints’ youth system starting at 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 feature for the Saints’ youth teams.

Prior to he turned 13, though, they released him. Bournemouth gave him an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, as he later admitted, his mind was not in it.

Instead, he opted to stay on the island and play for his hometown club.

“My form had dipped and traveling every week was becoming overwhelming,” he explained.

“All I desired to chill at my home with my friends at the weekend because I missed almost four and a half years of doing that. To have that slice of youth back was a thing I really needed.

“To gain some self-belief by coming back and taking part in island football was huge for me. That proved to be perhaps one of the most important factors that got me where I am today.”

When he was just 16, Scott became the youngest player in the club’s records when he came on as a second-half replacement in their Isthmian League match at the opposition.

“I had trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss the coach commented at the time.

“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the way he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”

Making a comeback to the pro ranks

Second-tier club the Robins – owned by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an impressive beginning in men’s football and arranged a trial in December 2019.

“It 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 the capital, returned home and on the Friday, I took the field for the youth team and scored a hat-trick. From that point a done deal for me to sign a contract.”

Within 18 months, still well before his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut versus Luton.

Scott went on to make 83 league outings for the club while still a teenager, frequently being used as a wing-back – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – such was his adaptability and flexibility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was the standout performer.

Thanks to his ability to carry the ball forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and national team attacking midfielder Grealish.

At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the EFL Championship’s best young player honour, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was named the club’s top player and top youngster.

“Without question, I believe he will represent England and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the game,” his former manager, the player’s boss at the club, remarked last year.

Within three months after, he signed for Bournemouth for a understood fee of £25m.

Getting his big move

Scott endured a challenging debut campaign with the Cherries, having to wait until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then being inconsistent of the team.

His following season was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for nearly four months.

“I had a decent run at the end of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” said Scott.

“That felt like yet another setback and the year was turning out to be quite a terrible start for the first five months.”

But he was then called up by England for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in regain fitness in time.

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 midfield with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the first team with the national coach.

And he has begun this season just as impressively for his club, playing in all matches to help them to the top five in the standings.

“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special occasions of my life,” Scott said earlier this season.

“It’s down to me, I’ve got to keep progressing 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.”