The popular sports presenter was in the region on Monday as part of a Sky promotion ahead of next month's digital switchover.

But after taking time out to speak to TheSouthern at Watson Lodge bed and breakfast, Jim was accosted by landlord James Martin, who couldn't resist sharing a joke with the Scottish football pundit.

"I explained to him that my uncle, Norrie Martin, used to play for Rangers and was the goalkeeper when they got beaten by Berwick Rangers down in Berwick," James told us.

"My father took his old Bolex camera down and filmed the game. At the end of the second half, Berwick scored and about 10 seconds later the film cut off, so it was lucky we got it. It was an old 8mm tape and I got in touch with the BBC and they've shown it three or four times on TV."

"It was great to talk to Jim," he added. "He's a very nice guy. Everyone knows him and he's very well respected."

For Jim, the visit was his first trip to the Borders since childhood and a welcome break from his base in London.

"I flew up this morning and it's just such a lovely contrast being out in the open in such a beautiful part of the world," he said. "And it's sunny too, which is amazing."

The Sky Sports News presenter was in Scotland ahead of the Scotland v Norway international this weekend, but he took time out to talk to TheSouthern about football in the Borders.

And he acknowledged opportunities for clubs or sportsmen and women to progress to a national level were limited in the region.

"I think that probably is a fair complaint," he said, responding to concerns that rural regions were suffering as a result of resources being focused on the central belt. "There's bound to be a gripe. You get that in areas where people feel there isn't sufficient funding and they see money being spent elsewhere.

"Many more people are living in the central belt and proportionately they get the nod. Harsh as it sounds, it's just the case, I'm afraid.

"I don't think it's because of lack of talent in the region.

"Out there, there will be some potentially very talented men and women who may sadly have to ply their trade elsewhere in order to get noticed and get the funding they require.

"John Collins must've been one of the most famous sportsmen to come out of this area and was a terrific midfield player.

"He was way before his time, too, because of the skill factor. It would be good to see him back because he certainly knows how to play the game."

Jim spent Monday in Galashiels promoting the Sky+ box swap scheme, which gives Borderers the chance to trade in their old VHS video recorders for a free Sky+ box, which lets viewers pause and rewind live television, record programmes and set up recordings via a mobile phone. Monthly subscription charges apply.

The offer is available at Market Square in Galashiels, and various Border retailers from Saturday. All VHS boxes handed in will be recycled by Sky.