David Lawrence has featured on the ECB website on a number of occasions in recent years, adding his support to areas of diversity and inclusion in the game. He has been involved in previous Black History Month campaigns, interviewing people such as Guy Bailey from Bristol West Indians or Gloucestershire coach Mark Alleyne. He has been keen to use his profile and character and influence to try and help where he can to effect change for those who are not as engaged with cricket as they could be.
For those reasons alone, the man affectionately known as ‘Syd’ after a former big band leader, could be described as a changemaker, but he deserves recognition for so much more.
As the first British born Black cricketer to play for England when he made his debut in 1988 against Sri Lanka, the Gloucestershire legend has been a trailblazer for decades.
He was a fearsome fast bowler who formed a devastating partnership with Courtney Walsh at Gloucestershire where he played 280 matches during 16 years as a player, claiming 625 wickets in the process.
A brutal knee injury during a Test match in 1992 in New Zealand cut short his England days just five games in, and ultimately it brought a premature end to his professional career too despite his attempts to comeback.
“I did wish that I had the chance to play more matches for England because that was my dream as a young boy,” said Lawrence.
“I loved pulling on that England shirt and getting out there and giving it everything for the team, nothing beats it.”
Not satisfied with one hugely successful career, Syd went on to have a second as a bar and nightclub owner in Bristol, while also sustaining an amateur body building career that saw him crowned as South West Over 40s champion three years running.
It was cricket though that remained his true love so when, in 2022, he was asked to become the first Black President of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, there was little hesitation in his answer.
The only delay came when he was promised that he could take on the role and do it his way.
“I was never going to be a ‘gin and tonic in the committee room’ type of President,” he said. “I think the club is here for the community and we should be doing what we can to get people involved and make it a welcoming place for all.
“I know there is a huge multicultural community in Bristol and Gloucester and around the county so I wanted to encourage everyone to come along and watch some cricket and feel welcome.”
It is why he turned President’s Day into a carnival with special guest Levi Roots taking part and running the rule over the culinary delights.
And Levi Roots was one of a number of friends and supporters of Syd who took time to send a message or speak at a fundraising dinner for him at Bristol’s Ashton Gate last month following the news of his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease.
It is a disease that has stripped Syd of his booming voice, and his rippling muscles that were developed on the cricket field and honed in the gym after his cricket career was over. And yet despite the significant difference in his outward appearance, Syd remains the same caring and campaigning person as he always has been.
Money was raised from the night to support MND Charities and the Professional Cricketers Trust because he still wants to make a difference and help others.
He has mentored young men and women through his time in business and cricket, always looking to make things better for those coming through after him, trying to make sure that even though he has often been the first, he certainly doesn’t want to be the last.
“I want to see more Black coaches and Black umpires and Black players in the game,” he added. “I’m hugely proud to be the first Black President at Gloucestershire, but I look forward to seeing others being given the opportunity to take on these sort of roles in the game at lots of other clubs too.”