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When the young midfielder made his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach at the time predicted, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”

That statement turned out to be something of an understatement.

Today aged 22 and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his maiden summons to the full Three Lions squad.

His rise from eighth-tier talent to potential international star is a proper blast from the past, a story seldom seen in the modern game.

What’s next? The World Cup?

“Back then, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the top division and representing England as well,” the player stated in a recent interview.

“It’s been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and things have transformed drastically for myself and my loved ones.”

But in what way did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up here?

Developing in the lower tiers

His football journey has been far from a typical one.

He was part of 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 train and feature for the club’s academy sides.

Before his 13th birthday, however, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer Scott an option and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.

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

“My form had dipped and flying over weekly was becoming overwhelming,” he recalled.

“I just wanted to chill at home with my mates at weekends because I missed almost several years of doing that. Getting that slice of youth again was something I definitely required.

“To gain a bit of self-belief by coming back and playing island football was massive for me. It was probably one of the most important factors that got me to this point.”

When he was just 16, the teenager made history as the youngest player in the club’s records when he came on as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League fixture at the opposition.

“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could include him in the team because his talent is obvious,” manager Tony Vance commented at the time.

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

Returning to the pro ranks

Second-tier club Bristol City – owned by islander their owner – had been tracking Scott’s early progress after an impressive beginning in adult football and gave him a trial in late 2019.

“The whole experience was chaos,” said Scott. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the next day I trained with the first team, which was a complete shock.

“On the Wednesday I played for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and on the Friday, I played for the youth team and netted a three goals. It was almost a done deal for me to put pen to paper on a contract.”

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

He made eighty-three league outings for the Robins while in his teens, often being used as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was their best player.

Thanks to his skill to drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he picked up the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and national team attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.

By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was selected in the division’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.

“Without question, I believe he’ll play for England and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the sport,” his former manager, the player’s manager at the club, stated previously.

Less than 90 days later, he signed for Bournemouth for a understood fee of 25 million pounds.

Getting his big move

Scott endured a challenging first season with the Cherries, waiting until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the team.

His second campaign was just as affected, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for nearly several months.

“I had a decent run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I broke my jaw,” said he.

“That felt like almost another obstacle and it was shaping up as a pretty bad year for the first five months.”

But he was then called up by the national team for the Under-21 European Championships – and managed to regain fitness for the tournament.

He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, developing a strong understanding in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who himself has excelled for the first team under Thomas Tuchel.

And he has begun the current campaign just as strongly for Bournemouth, featuring in all matches to guide them to the top five in the table.

“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special occasions of my life,” the player stated recently.

“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to keep progressing as a player, keep enjoying the game, getting better day on day, and with luck I impress the national coach and get my chance.”