FEW know better than John Collins what is required to make it in football.

And fewer still have the type of vision required to transform the footballing backwaters of the Borders into a conveyor-belt of exciting new talent.

The 45-year-old former Scotland captain was forced as youngster to travel from his Galashiels home to learn his trade in the capital.

For four years the teenager was ferried up and down the A7 to turn out for, and train with, Hutchison Vale.

And even today most of the region's top youngsters, who aspire to follow in Collins' boots, are still making that 70-mile round trip regularly to better themselves and their chances of making it in the game.

But the new Ambassador of Football at Gala Fairydean Rovers believes the winds of change which recently swept through Netherdale will end those tedious journeys to the city.

John told the Border Telegraph: "I'm delighted that the club has taken huge strides in the right direction.

"We now have a five star facility in Gala that we must make the most of. We need to make sure the kids are on the pitch as much as is possible. That's why I've put my name to it.

"There is young talent here - of course there is - and it is our job to make sure we make the most of it by encouraging and developing them as players.

"Everyone knows that I'm a Galashiels boy, a Borders boy, and I'll be down as often I can to take sessions with the kids, the Rovers and the first team.

"Everyone has smiles on their faces down here - there's a buzz about the place - and the days of back-stabbing and boys having to go elsewhere to play are in the past."

Having played at the highest level, the former Hibs, Celtic, Monaco and Everton star has lived his dream.

And he thinks the arrival of the Lowland League and pyramid system for Scottish football will finally give small clubs in the Borders the chance to realise theirs.

Collins continued: "I think the Lowland League is fantastic.

"It gives small clubs the opportunity of living that fairytale story - look at Auxere in France with a population of 40,000 and playing in the French twelfth division...they slowly played their way through the pyramid system and reached the quarter finals of the Champions League.

"It's amazing what can be achieved when everyone is working together.

"Closer to home look at Inverness and Ross County, they are great examples of clubs that have done the right things.

"The Lowland League allows clubs to start dreaming - that's not a bad thing."

If the bookmakers are to be believed the region's three teams in the Lowland League - Gala Fairydean Rovers, Selkirk and Vale of Leithen - are a long way of ever being in contention for a step up to the Scottish fourth tier.

Collins admits his hometown team are not yet ready - but the pointers coming from the 3G Arena are good.

With age-group teams entered in the Edinburgh leagues as well as the Border leagues, more youngsters than ever before are kicking a ball down at the Dean.

John added: "You have to have dreams and work hard to achieve those dreams.

"Rome wasn't built in one day but the work being done with the youths in Gala is fantastic.

"There are more people involved with the youths than ever I can remember - and they are good people - it will work its way through to the first team if it is given time.

"Gala Fairydean Rovers shouldn't be all about the first team - it should be about every young player who walks through those doors.

"We are creating a hub for football in the Borders here at Netherdale and I like what I am seeing."