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Back when the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 fans in 2019, his manager back then assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”

This statement turned out to be something of an understatement.

Today 22 years old and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the playmaker has just received his first call-up to the full England squad.

His rise from non-league prodigy to possible international star is a true blast from the past, a story seldom told in the modern era.

What’s next? The World Cup?

“In my mind, there was zero possibility of becoming a professional football player, let alone playing in the top division and representing the national team as well,” the player said previously.

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

But in what way did Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, find himself at this level?

Learning in non-league

Scott’s path in football has not been a conventional one.

He spent over four years in Southampton’s youth system from the age of eight, skipping school every Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could attend training and feature for the club’s academy sides.

Before he turned 13, though, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth gave Scott an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a while, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind was not in it.

Instead, he chose to remain on Guernsey and play for his hometown club.

“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling every week was starting to feel a bit too much,” he explained.

“I just wanted to relax at home with my friends at the weekend because I missed nearly several years of that experience. Getting that little bit of youth again was a thing I definitely required.

“Building some self-belief by returning and playing local football was massive for me. That proved to be perhaps the most crucial factors that got 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 was introduced as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League match at Phoenix Sports.

“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could include him in the side because he’s that good,” manager the coach commented at the time.

“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”

Returning to the professional game

Second-tier club the Robins – chaired by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring his development after an promising beginning in men’s football and gave him a try-out in late 2019.

“It was chaos,” recalled Scott. “Day one I trained with the under-18s, the next day I was with the senior squad, which was a total surprise.

“Midweek I played for his local side in the capital, travelled back and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a hat-trick. From that point a certainty for me to sign a contract.”

In just 18 months, even well before his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut versus the Hatters.

He went on to make eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while still a teenager, often being used as a wing-back – and occasionally in attack as a number 10 – such was his versatility and flexibility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.

With his ability to drive the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to City and national team attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.

By the conclusion 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 named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.

“No doubt, I believe he’ll play for England and I think he will progress to the top of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s boss at Ashton Gate, stated last year.

Less than three months after, he joined Bournemouth for a understood transfer fee of 25 million pounds.

Securing his major transfer

Scott endured 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 being in and out of the team.

His following season was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost four months.

“There was quite a good run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained Scott.

“It was almost another obstacle and it was shaping up as quite a terrible start for the first five months.”

But he was then selected by the national team 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, developing a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side with the national coach.

And he has begun this season equally as strongly for Bournemouth, playing in all matches to help them to fifth in the table.

“Representing the England senior team would be one of the proudest moments of my career,” the player stated recently.

“It’s down to me, I’ve got to continue developing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, getting better day on day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the England manager and earn an opportunity.”