Funeral of cricket legend Syd Lawrence ends with tributes

BBC News

5 days ago

Update:
Date: 16:00 BST
Title: 'Rest easy big man'
Content: Perhaps fittingly on the day one of their most popular players was laid to rest, Gloucestershire head to Somerset tonight to face their local rivals in a T20 Blast clash where fans will be hoping they show the same fighting spirit that epitomised the career of David "Syd" Lawrence.
The last word goes to Trojan Fitness in Bristol, the gym which Lawrence was connected to as a bodybuilder, who said on X, external simply: "Rest easy now big man."
Update:
Date: 15:59 BST
Title: Our coverage is ending
Content: Our live coverage of the funeral of David 'Syd' Lawrence is coming to an end now, thank you for following it with us as friends and family said goodbye to the Bristol and Gloucestershire legend.
Update:
Date: 15:55 BST
Title: 'I'm not scared to die'
Content: Lawrence, the Gloucestershire president, with James Bracey after the club won their first T20 Blast title in 2024
In an interview with BBC Breakfast in September, following his MND diagnosis, Lawrence said it was tough to have to rely on people.
"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 said.
"I always wanted to do things for people and now I have to rely on people to do things for me. I need a carer every day to dress me, to shower me. You've got to park your ego at the door and get on with it," he added.
Talking about death, Lawrence told the BBC he was not scared to die.
"Most people are scared of not knowing but I know how I am going to die. You can't look too much into the future, that will scare you. We are all going to die. I just know how I am going to die. I'm not scared," he added.
Update:
Date: 15:50 BST
Title: Hundreds attended funeral
Content: More than 300 people were at the funeral, demonstrating how popular and influential Lawrence was a cricketer and a person.
Many remained outside the church to share memories of him.
Update:
Date: 15:30 BST
Title: Funeral now ended
Content: Pallbearers and the congregation have started to leave the church, following the funeral service.
Update:
Date: 15:14 BST
Title: 'He took the illness head on'
Content: Former cricketer Andy Brassington said he was with Lawrence, who he was friends with for more than 44 years, just an hour before his death.
"He's given hope to people. We all need heroes, we all need idols and Syd was there for so many people," he said.
"It's been a terrible illness. He took it head on, like he did with everything.
"His appearance was everything to him, yet he put himself in the shop window to show people how this disease can tear your body apart."
Speaking outside the church Lawrence's funeral is taking place, Mr Brassington added he "has lost a best mate".
"It was a difficult situation for us all, and it was time for Syd to go. But right until the end was there he was positive."
Update:
Date: 15:10 BST
Title: 'Your background doesn't matter'
Content: Lawrence's first captain, David Graveney said: "His legacy to the game is in many, many forms."
Mr Graveney, who is now Vice Chairman of Gloucestershire, said he had watched Lawrence develop from a county bowler into an international star.
"The fact he was the first English-born black person to play for England was a thing he was very proud of and he was the first black president of the cricket club - another thing he was really proud of.
"He shows that actually it doesn't matter what your background is. If you apply yourself then the sky's the limit," Mr Graveney added.
Update:
Date: 15:02 BST
Title: Details of the service
Content: The service is now under way at St Mary Redcliffe Church in Bristol.
Revd Rupert Martin is leading the funeral, with the hymns including the well-known 'The Lord is my Shepherd'.
A eulogy will be read by George Orchard, followed by family tributes from Shauna Mighty and Bev Powell, Alice Lawrence and Buster - Lawrence's son.
The Bristol Reggae Windrush Choir, which performed outside the church before the service began, will also be singing as part of the service.
The service will end with a reflection from the Rev Martin.
The funeral will be followed by a wake at the County Ground in north Bristol.
Update:
Date: 14:58 BST
Title: 'MBE will be part of my legacy'
Content: Lawrence received an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours in June for his services to cricket.
Referring to the MBE letters, in an interview with the BBC, Lawrence said: "It is not something I ever thought would sit after my name.
"I am absolutely delighted that it will do so for however long I am here, and will be a part of my legacy when I am gone."
Update:
Date: 14:46 BST
Title: 'Husband, father, brother'
Content: The funeral order of service is adorned with Lawrence's accomplishments.
"Husband, father, brother, sportsman and MBE", it reads. The latter being three letters Lawrence said he "never" thought would come after his name.
Update:
Date: 14:35 BST
Title: 'His personality spread across the world'
Content: Former England and Gloucestershire wicketkeeper Jack Russell MBE, who made his Test match debut at Lord's with Lawrence, said he was his "best mate".
"We knew the love was there. We came early [to the church] and it is packed, it shows what he meant to a lot of people - not just in cricket but in general," he said.
"His personality spread across the world," added Russell.
"He was a trailblazer, he just had a great attitude. Everything was 100%,, he gave it his best shot with everything he did. One of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.
"It's difficult to find the words to sum him up, but they don't come much better than Syd Lawrence."
Update:
Date: 14:29 BST
Title: Coffin of David 'Syd' Lawrence arrives
Content: The coffin of David 'Syd' Lawrence has been carried into the church, with the service expected to start soon.
Among the pallbearers was Lawrence's son Buster, wearing a cream suit.
Update:
Date: 14:24 BST
Title: Lawrence's family arrive
Content: Lawrence's family have just arrived at St Mary Redcliffe church for the funeral.
The former fast bowler leaves behind his wife Gaynor and son Buster.
Update:
Date: 14:22 BST
Title: 'I achieved my dream'
Content: Following his MND diagnosis in June 2024, Lawrence worked tirelessly to raise money and awareness of the condition.
"As a proud Gloucester man who achieved his dream to play for England on the cricket field, it means a great deal to me and to my family who have supported me with all their love during some difficult times," he said.
"I have always put my heart and soul into any challenge I have faced and that is how I have approached things since my diagnosis with motor neurone disease.
"With awareness and funds for research we can make a positive difference for those who will need it in the future," he added.
Update:
Date: 14:13 BST
Title: 'Wore his heart on his sleeve'
Content: Former England batsman Mark Butcher said Lawrence was a "full-throttle, big-hearted individual" who "wore his heart on his sleeve".
"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," Butcher said.
Update:
Date: 14:08 BST
Title: Windrush Choir perform outside funeral
Content: Bristol's Reggae Windrush Choir have been singing outside the church as guests arrived.
Update:
Date: 14:01 BST
Title: Tufnell: Lawrence a 'great friend'
Content: Phil Tufnell, Lawrence's friend and former England team-mate, is one of the members of the congregation today.
Speaking to the BBC outside St Mary Redcliffe church, an emotional Tufnell said his "great friend" was "someone who you wanted on your side".
" [He was a ] larger than life character. Filled the room when he came in. We had some great laughs along the way," the former spin bowler added.
"He had this great big deep voice. He'd always say hello to everyone. It's sad that he had to go."
Looking back at their time together, Mr Tufnell recalled Lawrence's serious knee injury, which he suffered while playing for England in New Zealand in 1992.
"I was playing in that Test match when he fractured his kneecap, and carried him off the field. It was a tough injury. He tried to fight his way back from it but I think it was impossible really," he said.
"[But] he didn't let that get him down and he moved forward with a very positive attitude."
Update:
Date: 13:56 BST
Title: 'A Gloucestershire icon'
Content: Neil Priscott, Chief Executive Officer of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club said Lawrence had been "transformational" for the club which he made his debut for in 1981, and then became President of,
He said Lawrence "brought infectious spirit" and "energy" to the role.
"He wanted us to reach out to communities far and wide, push ourselves, do more, find the next generation of talent. That infectiousness sort of carried everyone with him.
"Syd's been an icon for this club on the field and off it," he added.
"We absolutely want to continue that legacy and do that in his honour."
Update:
Date: 13:51 BST
Title: 'A story of resilience'
Content: This video can not be played
In the months after his MND diagnosis, Lawrence put together his autobiography, a story he said was one of "resilience and character".
The book, called In Syd's Voice - The Extraordinary Life of Syd Lawrence, was written in collaboration with Dean Wilson and launched at a charity cricket match in Downend, Bristol in June.
Speaking at the time, Mr Wilson said: "It's a story about resilience - actually a story about character, and he had them both."
Update:
Date: 13:46 BST
Title: 'An example to young black players'
Content: Dr Guy Reid-Bailey met Lawrence as a teenager, when the parents of the future fast bowler brought him to Bristol because they were worried he may fall in with the wrong crowd in his home city of Gloucester.
Guy, from the Bristol West Indies Cricket Club, told BBC Points West presenter David Garmston that he became a mentor to the young Lawrence.
"He needed someone he could look up to. And I was always there for him," he said.
"He played cricket in the way it should be played. He listened, he learned, and he did it."
When Lawrence was made President of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in 2022, Guy was his Vice President.
"A lot of young black players did see him as an example for them to become good players - not to play for the county or England, but to play league cricket in the west of England," he added.