When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach at the time predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
That statement turned out to be a bit of an underestimation.
Now aged 22 and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has earned his maiden call-up to the senior Three Lions squad.
His rise from non-league prodigy to possible England player is a proper throwback, a story rarely told in the modern game.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“In my mind, there was zero possibility of making it as a professional football player, never mind playing in the top division and representing England too,” the player said previously.
“It’s been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have transformed drastically for myself and my family.”
But in what way did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, find himself here?
Learning in non-league
Scott’s path in football has been far from a conventional one.
He was part of four and a half years in Southampton’s academy setup from the age of eight, skipping school each Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could attend training and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an option and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he chose to remain on Guernsey and play for his hometown club.
“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling every week was becoming a bit too much,” he explained.
“All I desired to chill at home with my friends at weekends because I missed almost several years of that experience. Getting that little bit of youth again was a thing I definitely required.
“Building a bit of confidence by coming back and playing island football was huge for me. It was probably one of the most important factors that led me to this point.”
When he was just 16, Scott made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he was introduced as a 57th-minute replacement in their league match at the opposition.
“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss the coach commented at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Second-tier club Bristol City – owned by islander their owner – had been monitoring his early progress after an impressive beginning in men’s football and gave him a trial in late 2019.
“It was chaos,” recalled Scott. “The first day I joined the under-18s, the second day I was with the first team, which was a total surprise.
“Midweek I played for his local side in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a hat-trick. From that point a done deal for me to sign a deal.”
Within 18 months, still well before his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut against Luton.
He went on to make eighty-three league appearances for the club while still a teenager, frequently being deployed as a wing-back – and occasionally further forward as a number 10 – demonstrating his adaptability and versatility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
With his ability to drive the ball forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and England attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the EFL Championship’s best young player award, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I think he’ll play for his country and I’m sure he will progress to the pinnacle of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked previously.
Less than 90 days later, he signed for Bournemouth for a understood fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his major transfer
The midfielder endured a challenging first season with the club, having to wait until the autumn to earn his top-flight debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then being inconsistent of the team.
His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for nearly four months.
“There was quite a good run at the close of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained he.
“It was almost another obstacle and the year was shaping up as quite a terrible start for the first half.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.
He started five of the England U21s’ six games as they claimed victory in the competition in Slovakia, forming a formidable understanding in the middle with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has gone on to impress 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.
“Representing the national team would be among the most special moments of my life,” Scott stated earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to continue developing as a player, keep enjoying the game, getting better day on day, and hopefully I impress the England manager and earn an opportunity.”