Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterAlex Scott had an unconventional route to where he is now.The England and Bournemouth midfielder spent his formative years flying from Guernsey to the English mainland to train in the youth system Bournemouth and then Southampton.Scott could have gone to find another club after being let go by Southampton's academy - but instead took a conscious decision to play senior football on the Channel Islands instead.Scott told FourFourTwo: "I thought I could still be a footballer, that I might get another chance, but knew it would be tough."At that point though, I wasnt enjoying it and if Id stayed, I dont think I would have progressed the way I did after going back home. It was the right decision. You may like How Michail Antonio's mother influenced his early football career by rejecting a Spurs offer Matt Grimes explains why playing for Frank Lampard was a 'massive compliment' 'I wasnt allowed to join Southampton after my loan spell. I could have been part of their rise to the Premier League' Michail Antonio on career-changing transfer that never happened "I was training with the team quite a bit when I was 15, doing bits after our under-16s sessions."Id go over to the first team and fill spaces basically, but you couldnt play until you were 16, so I had to wait.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over."In the first game after my birthday, I got thrown on, wearing number 14 that was also my first number in the Premier League for Bournemouth, so it came full circle."It was a lot different quality-wise for sure. Physically when I was that young, it was important for me to play mens football and I learned a lot. In the youth teams, Id almost just take the ball and dribble, but when you go into senior football, youre going to get hurt doing that."I learned that the hard way, training with the Guernsey lads and playing in games, but that experience definitely benefited me, especially when I later went to Bristol City and broke through. What to read next Jonjo Shelvey: "Alan Pardew said I couldn't take a girl out" Alex Scott backs Millie Bright as ex-Lioness most likely to become coach I had to make my own luck West Ham United's Ffion Morgan on using social media to grow her profile "I can remember one game I cant recall who it was against, but it was at home. I was playing at eight or 10, and every time I got the ball, this number six for the opposition was just nailing me every time! I was thinking, Yeah, this is proper"But I enjoyed it I embraced it, gave him a bit back and started trying to do skills."Thats probably where it started for me, my way of playing, the freedom to play and enjoy football. Those moments brought that on."Scott was speaking at PUMAs new store on Oxford Street in London, the brands first European flagship store.TOPICSAFC BournemouthSteven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff Writer
