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When the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut against Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach back then assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”

That prediction turned out to be something of an underestimation.

Now 22 years old and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the midfielder has just received his maiden summons to the senior England team.

His ascent from eighth-tier talent to potential international star is a true blast from the past, a story rarely told in the modern game.

Next stop? A major tournament?

“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the Premier League and representing the national team as well,” Scott stated in a recent interview.

“It’s been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have changed completely for me and my loved ones.”

But in what way did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?

Developing in the lower tiers

His path in football has been far from a typical one.

He spent over four years in Southampton’s youth system from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to travel by air from his home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.

Prior to his 13th birthday, though, they decided to let him go. The Cherries gave Scott an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a while, but, as he later admitted, his mind was not in it.

Rather, he chose to remain on the island and play for his local team.

“My form had dipped and flying over weekly was becoming a bit too much,” he explained.

“I just wanted to chill at my home with my friends at the weekend because I missed nearly several years of doing that. To have that slice of youth again was something I definitely needed.

“To gain a bit of confidence by returning and taking part in local football was huge for me. It was perhaps one of the most important factors that led me to this point.”

When he was just 16, the teenager made history as the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a second-half substitute 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 he’s that good,” manager the coach stated at the time.

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

Making a comeback to the professional game

Championship side the Robins – owned by islander their owner – had been monitoring his early progress after an impressive start in men’s football and arranged a trial in December 2019.

“It was hectic,” said the player. “The first day I trained with the youth team, the second day I was with the senior squad, which was a total shock.

“On the Wednesday I featured for Guernsey FC in the capital, travelled back and by Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a hat-trick. It was almost a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”

In just 18 months, even well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against the Hatters.

Scott made 83 league appearances 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. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was their best player.

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

By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the EFL Championship’s best young player award, was selected in the league’s team of the year and was voted the club’s player and young player of the Year.

“Without question, I believe he will represent his country and I think he will progress to the pinnacle of the sport,” his former manager, Scott’s manager at the club, remarked previously.

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

Securing his major transfer

The midfielder endured a difficult first season with the club, waiting until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in the summer, and then being inconsistent of the starting XI.

His second campaign was just as 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 good to have, then I broke my jaw,” said he.

“That felt like almost another obstacle and it was turning out to be 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 started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they claimed victory in the competition in Slovakia, developing a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has gone on to impress for the first team with Thomas Tuchel.

And he has started this season just as strongly for Bournemouth, featuring in all matches to guide them to the top five in the table.

“Representing the national team would be one of the proudest moments of my life,” Scott said recently.

“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a footballer, keep enjoying football, getting better every day, and with luck I impress the national coach and earn an opportunity.”