Latest news with #DavidLawrence
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Phil Tufnell is among sports stars paying tribute at funeral of England cricketer David 'Syd' Lawrence who lost battle with motor neurone disease aged 61
Phil Tufnell was among a raft of sports stars who gathered to pay tribute at the funeral of England cricketer David 'Syd' Lawrence yesterday. Fast bowler turned nightclub owner, Lawrence, 61, died after a year-long battle with the debilitating Motor Neurone Disease (MND) on June 21. In a career which was cruelly cut short just as he made a late breakthrough into the England team, Lawrence represented the national side in five Tests between 1988 and 1992 and took 515 first-class wickets over 17 years. Off the field, Lawrence was held in such high regard that he was named president of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in 2022, before being made an MBE last month in the King's birthday honours list. The sport has mourned his death in the weeks that have since passed, evidenced by rows of the historic St Mary Redcliffe church in Bristol being packed with those looking to say their final goodbyes to the cricketing hero. Lawrence was carried by his son at a service attended by family, friends and sporting icons like his England teammates, Tufnell, Jack Russell and Mark Alleyne, as well as Ipswich Town footballing legend, Marcus Stewart, who also has MND. Led by Rev Rupert Martin, attendees at the funeral heard of Lawrence's love, personality and his willingness to always see the good in every situation. A eulogy was read by George Orchard, while tributes came from those who knew him best - Shauna Mighty and Bev Powell, Alice Lawrence and his son, former professional rugby player, Buster Lawrence. The order of service showed how Lawrence should be remembered: in his powerful prime, with a cricket sweater adorning his broad shoulders - before he spent his latter days in a wheelchair as a result of the neurological disease. Inside were images of Lawrence as a bow-tied schoolboy, before he discovered he had such a terrific cricketing talent, and the back cover revealed an image of Lawrence riding one of his beloved motorcycles. Mr Russell had the job of catching Lawrence's bowling behind the stumps since they were both children, before the pair went on to represent their nation together. Paying tribute to his late friend outside the church, he said: 'Syd was everything because we grew up together, we were youngsters together at under-13s together, so we travelled the same path really, in the same changing room for many, many years together and he was really close. 'It's a difficult day for everyone, it's been a difficult time for the last year or so for his family in particular, but we're determined to give him a good send off because he meant so much to so many people. 'He was a special person, a great personality, larger than life, did everything at 100mph, 100 per cent, no half measures, and played his cricket like that. It's a sad day, we're all going to miss him, but he'll never ever be forgotten.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hundreds attend funeral of David 'Syd' Lawrence
Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of former England and Gloucestershire fast bowler David "Syd" Lawrence in Bristol. Lawrence, the first British-born black cricketer to represent England, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2024 and died last month at the age of 61. Family, friends, and former teammates from both Gloucestershire and England, along with members of the public, gathered to remember him at St Mary Redcliffe Church on Friday. An emotional Phil Tufnell, Lawrence's friend and former England teammate, said Lawrence was "someone who you wanted on your side". "[He was a] larger-than-life character and filled the room when he came in. We had some great laughs along the way," he said. "He had this great big deep voice. He'd always say hello to everyone. It's sad that he had to go." Lawrence's son, Buster, described his dad as "a loving man" with "so much love to give". "For me, for all the accolades - not that they don't mean anything to me - but he was my dad first and foremost," he said. "He did such a great job being a dad that if you took all that away he would still be the best dad to me and the best friend." He added that behind the "hard, big exterior" his dad would do anything for the people he cared about. Revd Rupert Martin led the funeral, with the hymns including the well-known 'The Lord is my Shepherd'. A eulogy was 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, also sang during the service. Current Gloucestershire Head Coach and former teammate Mark Alleyne said afterwards: "The service was wonderful. "[I'm] really proud to have known him and so glad he's touched so many lives." The funeral was followed by a wake at the County Ground in north Bristol. Lawrence, affectionally known as "Syd", was given an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours weeks before he died for outstanding services to cricket. He played five Test matches for England and took 625 wickets in 280 matches during a 16-year career at Gloucestershire, where he grew up. After retirement he became a nightclub owner and amateur bodybuilder before being named Gloucestershire's club president in 2022, a role he remained in until his death. 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. Speaking outside the church, 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." Additional reporting by Ali Durden, Ed Hadwin and James Diamond. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story Syd Lawrence 'was very fast, very quick ... a mean bowler!' Cricketer's race against time to write autobiography 'I'm not scared to die' - Lawrence on living with MND
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Funeral of cricket legend Syd Lawrence ends with tributes
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.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Hundreds attend David 'Syd' Lawrence's emotional funeral
Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of former England and Gloucestershire fast bowler David "Syd" Lawrence in the first British-born black cricketer to represent England, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2024 and died last month at the age of friends, and former teammates from both Gloucestershire and England, along with members of the public, gathered to remember him at St Mary Redcliffe Church on emotional Phil Tufnell, Lawrence's friend and former England teammate, said Lawrence was "someone who you wanted on your side". "[He was a] larger-than-life character and filled the room when he came in. We had some great laughs along the way," he said."He had this great big deep voice. He'd always say hello to everyone. It's sad that he had to go." Revd Rupert Martin led the funeral, with the hymns including the well-known 'The Lord is my Shepherd'.A eulogy was read by George Orchard, followed by family tributes from Shauna Mighty and Bev Powell, Alice Lawrence and Buster - Lawrence's Bristol Reggae Windrush Choir, which performed outside the church before the service began, also sang during the Gloucestershire Head Coach and former teammate Mark Alleyne said afterwards: "The service was wonderful."[I'm] really proud to have known him and so glad he's touched so many lives." The funeral was followed by a wake at the County Ground in north affectionally known as "Syd", was given an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours weeks before he died for outstanding services to played five Test matches for England and took 625 wickets in 280 matches during a 16-year career at Gloucestershire, where he grew retirement he became a nightclub owner and amateur bodybuilder before being named Gloucestershire's club president in 2022, a role he remained in until his cricketer Andy Brassington said he was with Lawrence, who he was friends with for more than 44 years, just an hour before his outside the church, 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." Additional reporting by Ali Durden, Ed Hadwin and James Diamond.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Syd Lawrence 'was very fast, very quick ... a mean bowler!'
The cricket world is saying goodbye to David "Syd" Lawrence MBE, the first British-born black cricketer to represent England, who died in 61-year-old, from Gloucester, had recently been appointed an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours in recognition of his services to cricket, something he was "incredibly proud" Garmston talks to one of his early mentors and friends to discuss Syd's legacy. Guy Reid-Bailey's eyes moistened as he remembers his old friend the former England cricketer David 'Syd' Lawrence who has died from Motor Neurone pair met when Syd's parents brought him to Bristol as a teenager because they were worried that he might fall in with the wrong crowd in his home city of from the Bristol West Indies Cricket Club, took young Syd in hand."He needed a mentor. He needed someone he could look up to. And I was always there for him."He played cricket in the way it should be played. He listened, he learned, and he did it." Dr Guy Reid-Bailey OBE turned 80 the day before Syd's funeral. When they first met Guy was already known in Bristol as a civil rights campaigner and one of the instigators of the Bristol Bus Boycott which changed race relations in Britain for is still Guy's passion and when we met at his club in Easton he discarded his walking stick, took up a bat and gleefully knocked some balls around with me."I remember when we were playing at Oldland Common. I saw Syd hit one of the biggest sixes there ever was."At the end of the field there was a light pole. He said, 'I am going to hit the ball over there'. He did. He scored a hundred in that match. His first hundred as a batsman."He chuckles."He was a mean player to the opposition," he adds. "When he was running in they could tell what was coming. Can you imagine someone coming at you at ninety miles an hour when you are playing in league cricket?"David Lawrence - nicknamed Syd - was the first British born black player to be selected for his career was cut short by a terrible knee injury while on tour in New Zealand. Guy believes that event changed the course of cricket history."He would have become one of the world's finest fast bowlers," Guy two men remained life-long they made Syd President of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, 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 fondly: "I only wish Syd's family the best right now because he made us all very proud."With those words Guy walked away from the wicket clearly in deep two men were soulmates and in Guy, David Lawrence had found someone who believed in Lawrence's funeral will take place in Bristol on Friday.
