On Thursday, family, friends and fans packed into St Mary Redcliffe church in Bristol to pay tribute to the West Indies cricket legend David “Syd” Lawrence at his funeral. They united to honor a man who gave so much to the sport and to the Gloucestershire County Cricket Club. Lawrence battled Motor Neurone Disease (MND) courageously until his death. His impact and legacy stretch well beyond his success on the cricket pitch.
Lawrence was elected President of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in 2022 and absolutely loved the position. Sadly, this health miracle wouldn’t last — his health started to fail him as well. In June, he was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. This award celebrates his tremendous impact, strong devotion to the sport of cricket. As a big fast bowler, he transcended that as an icon on and off the field. His love for the game ignited a fire in people from all walks of life.
Lawrence dealt with many obstacles in his career. The peak, among many other injuries, was a devastating knee injury he suffered while playing for England against New Zealand in 1992. Through all this, he still worked hard to make the most of everything he tried. He demonstrated constant dedication to the game. During his captaincy, Gloucestershire experienced a renaissance of cricketing fortunes, most notably winning their maiden T20 Blast title in 2024 under his stewardship.
The funeral service not just focused on Lawrence’s accomplishments, but painted a rich picture of who he was as a person. His friends and attendees have described him as a “full-throttle, big-hearted guy” who “wore his heart on his sleeve.” In addition, his magnetic personality captivated audiences around the globe, making him one of the most celebrated figures in the history of the cricket community.
Lawrence’s son, Buster, was one of the first people to share emotional memories during the service. A full house of friends and colleagues painted a picture of his warm spirit and true love for those around him. Former cricketer Mark Butcher remarked,
“Every time you met him there was a warmth there, a genuine love of seeing his old friends and a genuine sense of how much he enjoyed his career.”
David Graveney, a leading cricket identity, reflected on Lawrence’s influence, saying that .
“His legacy to the game is in many, many forms.”
Alongside his contributions on the pitch, Lawrence was open about his ongoing fight with MND. He candidly shared his experiences through the process after his diagnosis, showing inspiring strength and determination. “I have always put my heart and soul into any challenge I have faced,” he stated. His approach to life was formed by that same attitude. It profoundly changed how — and why — he reached out to the larger cricket community.
He told how he wanted as much attention brought to MND as possible, and that we need to provide research our fighters today, tomorrow and in the future. “With awareness and funds for research we can make a positive difference for those who will need it in the future,” he said passionately.
Lawrence’s journey with MND was both profound and personal. He was honest about the challenges of living with a diagnosis like this, especially as someone who was previously so physically able as an athlete. “If you’ve been a big strong man all your life and this comes and hits you, it’s a tough one to take. Really tough,” he shared.
Even in facing these obstacles, there was an optimistic faith from Lawrence that proved contagious to others. He conveyed his acceptance of mortality with grace: “Most people are scared of not knowing but I know how I am going to die… I just know how I am going to die. I’m not scared.” Yet it was his willingness to face even the toughest truths in the eye that really reverberated through the lives that he touched.
In reflecting on his notable achievements, Lawrence stated that he was glad to have been awarded an MBE. That’s not something I ever imagined would follow after my name. I’m just incredibly happy that it will do so for as long as I’m around,” he said. This acknowledgement was a fitting tribute to the spirit of service and joy he brought to cricket and the world during his remarkable life.
Lawrence’s legacy reached far beyond runs and records, he inspired a generation of youngsters to take up cricket. David Graveney emphasized this point during the service: “He shows that actually it doesn’t matter what your background is. If you apply yourself then the sky’s the limit.”
As the service came to a close, those attending were left to contemplate his legacy. His legacy lives on in the work he did to inspire future generations. David “Syd” Lawrence was a superb cricketer. As remarkable as his intellect were his extraordinary acts of courage and loving kindness, even—or especially—during the most trying times. His spirit will continue to live in the hearts of all who knew him. In other ways, it will keep shining bright in the epic saga of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.
Leave a Reply