Many mansion-living, designer-wearing, millionaire footballers who claim to have been born on the wrong side of the tracks often churn out the rags to riches cliché about 'football saving lives'.

Yet Michael Parsons doesn't live in a mansion, nor does he dress in an overly ostentatious manner, and it's very doubtful he has a six-figure sum bank account.

So when he utters the same well-worn idiom it feels authentic and you tend to believe him.

The Bermuda Hogges midfielder was once submerged in some of the social ills that are infecting many of the Island's youths and is more than familiar with the pitfalls that befall a young man from the ghetto.

Little more than a year ago he was found not guilty of handling thousands of pounds worth of cocaine with the intent to supply.

In Parsons' words it was a complete mix-up and he had no idea of the contents of the package when he delivered it as a courier.

But the traumatic time did serve as a wake-up and forced him to do the serious soul-searching required to transform his life.

"That was the turning point for me," says Parsons.

"I'd only just signed for the Hogges and when the case finished I knew the Lord had been looking out for me. From that point I knew I had to make changes to my life.

"I was innocent but the experience made me question the way I was living. I had to stop and think about what good could come of this situation?

"Do I keep on drinking, hanging out, not caring about anybody and allow my body to get out of shape?

"Or do I get a job, dedicate my time to football to keep my mind occupied and try and help others? I've just approached a boys home to see if I can talk to some of the young guys there."

The 29-year-old has recently made an emotional return to his boyhood club Boulevard from Dandy Town, thus honouring a promise made to late Blazers' talisman Shaki Crockwell.

Just weeks before the Bermuda international was shot dead Parsons attended Crockwell's son's christening where his close friend urged him to go back to his Blazers roots.

"I'm very close with Shaki's family and I'm his son's godfather and even gave him his name, Santiago, after the character in the football movie Goal," Parsons says.

A year on from Crockwell's killing, Parsons said he's now in the right frame of mind to make an emotional return to Boulevard and has vowed to have a positive impact both on the pitch and within the dressing room.

"I've lived the same lifestyle as many of Boulevard's youngsters. I was also brought up in the back of town," said the Bermuda international.

"Some of the guys are mixed up in bad things and are in danger of wasting their talent.

"They need to weigh up their options, get a job and train hard. Football can solve so many problems.

"A lot of Boulevard's players have had tough lives but dwell on the negatives and don't use football to show people just how tough they are."

In the likes of pacey striker Angelo Simmons and mercurial midfielder Mel Gibbons, Parsons believes Blazers possess two of Bermuda's brightest young talents and will endeavor to help them realise their potential.

"Guys like Angelo and Mel have so much talent. I believe they could go on and play for the national team but it's all about who wants it – that's what Jack Castle always says in training.

"As a whole, my generation look for too many excuses.

"If you want something you just have to go out there and get it. That's where Blazers' new coach Andrew Bascome can have a massive influence – the young guys relate to him."

According to Parsons, being a member of Bermuda Hogges' squad has provided him with vital life skills.

He's had both highs and lows with the Island's sole professional club but believes all the experiences have helped shape him.

"In the two seasons I've been with the Hogges I've improved mentally and physically. Both Shaun (Goater) and Kyle (Lightbourne) have taught me many things.

"I think some of the guys don't care that they've been professionals in England and therefore won't learn from them.

"Some of the boys say to them 'you're always talking about what you did in England', but at the end of the day they were there.

"Regardless of what people say about Shaun Goater he's done it against the very best. He's played against the players we all want to meet.

"If we do the things Shaun and Kyle teach us the Hogges will be successful. I feel a lot of guys in Bermuda are scared of success."

Parsons shakes his head in frustration when he reflects upon some of the violent incidents that have rocked Bermuda in recent weeks.

He feels there's too much hatred on the Island right now but is at a loss to explain why.

"For some reason it seems we're all mad at each other. There's all these shootings going on and what not," he says.

"That's why I stick to my football, work hard and stay with my woman. I don't portray myself to be somebody I'm not.

"I think that's a real problem in Bermuda. The youths are trying to be somebody they're not because no one is showing them the right way."