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Funeral of cricket legend Syd Lawrence ends with tributes
Funeral of cricket legend Syd Lawrence ends with tributes

BBC News

time18-07-2025

  • 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.

Bracey blast boosts Glos before Kellaway leads Glamorgan fightback
Bracey blast boosts Glos before Kellaway leads Glamorgan fightback

BBC News

time30-06-2025

  • Sport
  • BBC News

Bracey blast boosts Glos before Kellaway leads Glamorgan fightback

Rothesay County Championship Division Two, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (day two)Gloucestershire 380 (121.1 overs): Bracey 133, Akhter 58, Bancroft 50; Van der Gugten 4-61, Crane 4-89 Glamorgan 228-4 (69 overs): Kellaway 55*, Ingram 52*, Northeast 48; Bailey 2-45Glamorgan 3 pts, Gloucestershire 3 ptsMatch scorecard James Bracey's superb 133 steered Gloucestershire to a respectable 380 all out with Glamorgan reaching 228-4 after a stuttering home side needed a century stand from Ben Kellaway (55 not out) and Colin Ingram (52 not out) to restore their fortunes after slipping to produced another evenly-contested day, mostly played at the medium tempo enforced by the use of the Kookaburra ball. Archie Bailey, who turned 20 on the eve of the match, claimed two wickets after supporting Bracey's dominating knock, in a last wicket stand of 89 for the van der Gugten and Mason Crane finished with four wickets apiece. Gloucestershire resumed on 279-7 but quickly lost Todd Murphy without scoring and Ajeet Singh Dale for two, as Van der Gugten twice found the farmed the strike effectively and punished the odd bad ball with the second batting point coming up in the 104th over, while Archie Bailey finally got his first Championship runs in his fifth match and third innings to earn a few cheers. Bracey was dropped at deep mid-wicket on 87 off Van der Gugten, and that proved costly as he moved to a third century of the season. Glamorgan's frustration grew as fielders moved in and out, Bailey (19 not out) increased in confidence, and Bracey laid about him hitting 13 fours and four sixes, before lofting Crane to economical Ajeet Singh Dale made the first visitors' breakthrough in scorching afternoon heat as Zain Ul Hassan hooked to fine leg on nine, while Asa Tribe looked in good shape for 35 before edging Bailey to then induced Kiran Carlson (14) to flick to fine leg, while Sam Northeast (48) seemed on the way to a big score before left-arm spinner Graeme van Buuren got one through his defences to nudge one bail off to the batter's bewilderment. At 121-4, Glamorgan had work to do as the ball went soft, after some self-inflicted and Kellaway applied themselves studiously in the evening session, despite the dual distractions of hundreds of swooping gulls, and the distant strains of Oasis sound-checking at the nearby Principality Stadium. Kellaway reached his half-century off 83 balls with seven fours, while Ingram passed the landmark off 103 balls in the final over, but Glamorgan were content to see out the day without too much aggression against some tidy bowling.

Honours even as Akhter leads Gloucestershire fightback v Glamorgan
Honours even as Akhter leads Gloucestershire fightback v Glamorgan

Yahoo

time29-06-2025

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Honours even as Akhter leads Gloucestershire fightback v Glamorgan

Rothesay County Championship Division Two, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (day one) Gloucestershire 279-7 (96 overs): Akhter 58, Bracey 57*, Bancroft 50; Crane 3-55 Glamorgan: Yet to bat Glamorgan 2 pts, Gloucestershire 1 pt Advertisement Match scorecard Gloucestershire recovered to 279-7 thanks to half-centuries from Zaman Akhter and James Bracey after Glamorgan leg-spinner Mason Crane had put them in trouble. It was a day of sharp momentum swings after Cameron Bancroft's 50 took the visitors to 97 before the second wicket fell. Glamorgan put the brakes on during the afternoon with the Kookaburra ball, with Crane (3-55) inducing a mini-collapse as the batters got bogged down and the run-rate slowed to a crawl. But Akhter took the attack back to Glamorgan in the final session before falling for 58 in the penultimate over of the day, with Bracey unbeaten on 57 overnight. Advertisement Gloucestershire had the better of the first and third sessions despite being put in after Glamorgan turned the screw in the afternoon. Glamorgan's decision to bowl first, with Andy Gorvin in for Ned Leonard the only change on either side, looked to be due to the early cloud and the likelihood of the pitch losing its green tinge under the sun on the second day. But Cameron Bancroft and Joe Phillips had few alarms against Glamorgan's four-main seam attack with the half-century coming up in the 18th over. Off-spinner Ben Kellaway made the breakthrough when he had Phillips smartly caught behind by Chris Cooke down the leg-side for 38, but Gloucestershire had 90 on the board by lunch as Bancroft ran well between the wickets. Advertisement Bancroft reached 50 off 96 balls but could not go on as he fell over a Timm van der Gugten delivery and was adjudged lbw. Miles Hammond tried to keep some momentum going before he steered Crane to slip for 31 with the leg-spinner getting turn and then having Graeme van Buuren caught behind for four as scoring became more difficult against the older ball. Ollie Price batted 93 balls for an obdurate 24 when he pulled James Harris to mid-wicket and Gloucestershire had become thoroughly bogged down by tea with Gorvin's medium pace particularly economical. Bracey and Ben Charlesworth stopped the slide temporarily but Crane trapped Charlesworth lbw for 16 at 179-6. Advertisement Akhter's positive approach switched the momentum back to the visitors again as Glamorgan delayed taking the new ball without further dividends for the spinners. He rode his luck slightly but fared better than most of the top order as the new ball went harder off the bat. Akhter had faced just 67 balls and struck 10 boundaries but was pinned leg-before by van der Gugten to take the edge off Gloucestershire's revival.

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