Tributes paid to David ‘Syd’ Lawrence

David Lawrence, the first Black man born in England to play Test cricket for the national team, has died at the age of 61.

Born in Gloucester to Jamaican parents, he moved to Bristol at the age of 16 and was just 17 when he began playing for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.

He took 625 wickets in 280 matches for Gloucestershire over a 16-year-career and was club president at the time of his death.

One of the fastest bowlers in the sport, soon after he started playing he gained the nickname Syd after the British bandleader.

In 1988, Lawrence made his Test debut against Sri Lanka, taking three wickets at the Lord’s.

He played in five Test matches for England but a serious knee injury in 1992 brought his career to a premature end and he later went on to become a competitive bodybuilder and nightclub owner, running Dojo on Park Row.

Lawrence, who lived in Hotwells, became the club president of Gloucestershire in 2022, making him the first Black president of any county team.

This came a year after Lawrence publicly spoke out about the racism he experienced during his career in a Sky Sports documentary and Gloucestershire issued a public apology.

In the documentary, Lawrence said: “I didn’t quite know where I belonged. We would constantly be told, ‘go home, go home.’ You are thinking, ‘this is my home. I am born here, this is my country.’

“They say we have a chip on our shoulder. It’s not a chip on our shoulder, it’s the things we have experienced.

“I remember my first away game at Gloucestershire. Somebody knocks on my door in the evening and one of my team-mates has left a banana skin.

“I have to play with that person for the next 13 or 14 years. When that happened to me, I said ‘I am going to be harder, tougher than ever. No one is ever going to push me around.'”

Following news of Lawrence’s death, flags were flow at half-mast at the Seat Unique Stadium – photo: Gloucestershire Cricket

In 2024 Lawrence was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and in the same year released an autobiography, In Syd’s Voice: The Extraordinary Life of Dave Lawrence, which he wrote via dictation.

In June, Lawrence received an MBE for services to cricket in the King’s Birthday Honours.

On Friday, players and fans wore pink in his honour at Seat Unique Stadium to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association during the club’s T20 match against Hampshire which was won with a six struck by David Payne off the last ball.

Following news of his passing on Sunday, flags were flown at half-mast at the Seat Unique Stadium and there was a minute’s silence before the start of the match between Gloucestershire and Derbyshire.

There was also a moment of applause on Sunday morning during the England versus India Test match at Headingley in Leeds.

In April, Lawrence was immortalised at the County Ground in this mural by Silent Hobo – photo: Martin Booth

In a statement, Lawrence’s family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Lawrence MBE following his brave battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

“Syd was an inspirational figure on and off the cricket field and no more so than to his family who were with him when he passed.

“A proud Gloucestershire man, Syd took on every challenge with everything he could and his final contest with MND was no different. His willingness to encourage and think of others right up to the end was typical of the man he was.

“As president of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Syd took on the role with incredible pride and passion and loved every minute of it.

“Syd’s wife Gaynor and son Buster thank everyone for the kindness and support that has been shown to them and the family so far and would ask that they are now given some time and space to grieve in private.”

Gloucestershire bowler David Payne, who is painted in a mural alongside Lawrence at the County Ground, said: “On behalf of the players, I’d like to offer our sincerest condolences to Syd’s family at this truly devastating time.

“Syd was a true legend of the Club and someone every player had immense respect for – not just because of the fantastic cricketer he was, but for the amazing person he was, and what he gave to this Club both on and off the field.

“Sharing last year’s T20 success with Syd is a memory we will never forget and will cherish forever.

“Syd will always be an inspiration to us all, and we thank him for everything he did for our great game.”

Tributes have also come in from outside of the cricket community, including Trojan Fitness where Lawrence had been a member for over 30 years.

 

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A post shared by Trojan Fitness Bristol (@trojanfitness_bristol)

In an Instagram post, Trojan Fitness said: “Our beloved David ‘Syd’ Lawrence died peacefully on Saturday with Gaynor and Buster by his side.

“He passed peacefully and without pain. The last week he had become weaker but at no point did he lose his smile, spirit and his unique character.

“Our thoughts and prayers go to out to Gaynor, Busta and Syds family and friends during this unimaginable loss

“Forever thankful to everyone who came together for Syd, his family and friends over the past year to show immense love and support for Syd that I know played a huge part in helping during the darkest of times

“As a gym, I speak for all of us when I say that we will forever support and be there for your family as if our own, always.

“Syd you showed us all the true meaning of warrior spirit, your legacy and strength with live with us forever and more.

“Rest easy now Big Man.”

Main photo: Gloucestershire Cricket

Read next:

• Syd Lawrence becomes first Black president of Gloucestershire
• ‘Iconic’ Bristol nightclub closes after 25 years
• Mark Alleyne: ‘Gloucestershire Cricket being in Bristol means a lot to me’