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When the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his coach at the time assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”

This statement turned out to be a bit of an understatement.

Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his first call-up to the senior Three Lions squad.

His rise from eighth-tier talent to possible England player is a true throwback, a journey seldom seen in the modern era.

What’s next? The World Cup?

“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a professional football player, let alone playing in the top division and representing England as well,” Scott said in a recent interview.

“It has been a incredible five or six years of my life, and circumstances have changed completely for myself and my family.”

But how did Scott, known affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up here?

Learning in the lower tiers

His football journey has not been a typical one.

He was part of four and a half years in Southampton’s youth system starting at eight, leaving school early each Friday to travel by air from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could train and play for the Saints’ youth teams.

Before he turned 13, however, they decided to let him go. The Cherries were willing to offer him an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a while, but, as he later admitted, his mind was not in it.

Instead, he chose to stay on Guernsey and play for his local team.

“My form had dipped and flying over every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.

“I just wanted to relax at home with my mates at the weekend because I missed almost several years of doing that. Getting that slice of childhood back was a thing I really needed.

“Building some confidence by returning and playing island football was huge for me. It was probably one of the most important factors that got me where I am today.”

At the age of 16, Scott made history as the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a second-half replacement in their Isthmian League match at Phoenix Sports.

“I had trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could get him in the side because his talent is obvious,” manager the coach commented at the time.

“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the way he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”

Returning to the pro ranks

Championship side the Robins – owned by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been tracking Scott’s early progress after an promising start in adult football and arranged a try-out in late 2019.

“The whole experience was hectic,” 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 played for the youth team and netted a hat-trick. It was almost a done deal for me to sign a contract.”

In just a year and a half, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was earning his first-team debut versus Luton.

Scott made 83 league outings for the Robins while still a teenager, often being deployed as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a number 10 – such was his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was their best player.

Thanks to his skill to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘the Guernsey 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 best young player honour, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was voted Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.

“Without question, I believe he’ll play for his country and I think he’ll go on to the top of the game,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s boss at the club, stated previously.

Within three months after, he joined the Cherries for a understood fee of £25m.

Getting his major transfer

Scott experienced a challenging debut campaign with the club, waiting until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then finding himself in and out of the team.

His following season was just as affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost several months.

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

“It was yet another obstacle and the year 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 in time.

He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they claimed victory in the competition in Slovakia, forming a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has gone on to impress for the senior side with the national coach.

And he has begun the current campaign just as strongly for his club, playing in every game to guide them to the top five in the standings.

“To play for the national team would be one of the proudest moments of my career,” Scott stated earlier this season.

“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a player, keep enjoying the game, improving day on day, and with luck I catch the eye of the national coach and earn an opportunity.”