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Back when the young midfielder made his local team 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.”

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

Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the playmaker has earned his maiden call-up to the full Three Lions squad.

His ascent from eighth-tier talent to potential international star is a proper blast from the past, a journey seldom seen in the modern era.

Next stop? The World Cup?

“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, let alone featuring in the top division and playing for the national team as well,” the player stated in a recent interview.

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

So how did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up here?

Developing in the lower tiers

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

He was part of over four years in the Saints’ academy setup starting at eight, skipping school each Friday to travel by air from his home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.

Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they released him. The Cherries were willing to offer him an option and he remained with them for a while, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.

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

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

“I just wanted to relax at home with my friends at the weekend because I had missed nearly several years of doing that. Getting that little bit of childhood back was something I really needed.

“To gain a bit of self-belief by coming back and playing local football was huge for me. That proved to be probably one of the most important factors that got me where I am today.”

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

“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” manager the coach stated back then.

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

Making a comeback to the pro ranks

Second-tier club Bristol City – owned by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been tracking his early progress after an impressive start in men’s football and arranged a trial in December 2019.

“It was hectic,” said the player. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the next day I was with the senior squad, which was a complete surprise.

“Midweek I featured for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to put pen to paper on a deal.”

In just a year and a half, still well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus Luton.

He made 83 league appearances for the club while in his teens, frequently being deployed as a wide defender – and occasionally in attack as a number 10 – such was his adaptability and flexibility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was their best player.

Thanks to his ability to carry 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 Grealish.

By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the second tier’s young player of the season award, was chosen in the league’s best XI and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.

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

Less than three months later, he joined the Cherries for a understood fee of £25m.

Securing his major transfer

Scott experienced a difficult first season with the Cherries, waiting until October to make his top-flight debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then finding himself in and out of the team.

His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for almost four months.

“There was a decent run at the end of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” explained he.

“That felt like yet another obstacle and the year was turning out to be quite a terrible year for the first half.”

But he was then selected by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in regain fitness in time.

He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, developing a formidable understanding in midfield with his teammate, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side with the national coach.

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

“To play for the national team would be among the most special moments of my career,” the player said earlier this season.

“The responsibility is mine, I must keep progressing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, improving day on day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the England manager and get my chance.”