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.
Lawrence was carried by his son at a service attended by family, friends and sporting icons
Phil Tufnell was among a raft of sports stars who gathered at St Mary Redcliffe church in Bristol
The order of service showed Lawrence in his prime, with a cricket sweater over his shoulders
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.
Former Gloucestershire and England wicket-keeper Jack Russell was in attendance yesterday
Ipswich Town footballing legend Marcus Stewart, who also has MND, joined mourners at the funeral
Mark Alleyne, who played with Lawrence with England, was there to pay tribute to his late friend
Lawrence, a former England bowler, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year
Tribute was paid to the Gloucestershire great on day three of England’s first Test against India last month
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.’
After the emotional service, Lawrence’s final journey was to Westerleigh Crematorium, with a reception back at one of his favourite places, the Nevil Road home of Gloucestershire CCC.
