The extraordinary life of David ‘Syd’ Lawrence revealed in new book.
To see more articles, click here
Former England fast bowler and Cricketers’ Trust beneficiary Dave ‘Syd’ Lawrence tells his story of a life of incredible highs and devasting lows in a new book.
Written with Dean Wilson, ‘In Syd’s Voice’ documents Dave’s 61 years, including his careers as a cricketer, a nightclub owner and a bodybuilder, as well as last year’s devasting diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Sales of the book will help to support the life-changing and life-saving work of the Cricketers’ Trust and the MND Association.
The Gloucestershire President bravely told the Cricketers’ Trust his story in a moving and emotional interview in front of the Sky Sports cameras last year, a video that would be aired for the first time on Vitality Blast Final’s Day 2024 – a day that will forever be remembered in Gloucestershire’s history, lifting their first ever T20 trophy. Syd infamously pictured with James Bracey, both in tears, as the wicketkeeper-batter handed the trophy to his club’s President.
Lawrence told how the Trust stepped in to help fund his support chair and contributed to house alterations, allowing him to move around the family home more freely.
Your can read the interview here and watch the video below.
CRICKETERS' TRUST VIDEO
David Lawrence: Life with MND
Former Gloucestershire and England bowler has received assistance from the Cricketers’ Trust
About the book:
This is the story of former England fast bowler Dave ‘Syd’ Lawrence, a man used to facing and overcoming challenges. From becoming the first British-born Black man to play Test cricket for England to owning and running a fixture of the Bristol nightclub scene for more than 25 years, from coaching cricket at a local school to winning the West of England amateur bodybuilding title three times – whatever Syd has set his mind to achieving, he has usually done so with great skill and a flourish.
However, in June 2024, Syd was forced to accept a fresh challenge, and one that he simply cannot overcome. Following months of inconclusive tests in a Bristol hospital, he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Already left without the use of his legs, he had to face a new reality that would mean a deterioration across the rest of his body, a loss of independence, the requirement of carers, and gradually the loss of his voice. For a once powerfully built athlete with booming voice to match, this was a particularly cruel fate, knowing all his physical abilities would be stripped away from him bit by bit.
Before his voice disappeared completely and he was forced to rely on a voice bank for communication, Syd committed to telling his extraordinary life story. This book is the culmination of that decision, detailing the most recent months since his diagnosis, alongside the memories of his 61 years so far – a life well-lived, full of surprising stories.
Explaining how the book came about Syd said: “Being diagnosed with MND puts everything into perspective and was a sudden jolt that I definitely wasn’t expecting. My life took a dramatically different turn and made me think a lot about the things I have done, the people I have met and the life I have led.
“Committing my story to a book was something I had been thinking about for a while and the process had actually already begun before I received the news that turned my life upside down. The deadline had changed though and I knew that I needed to tell my story before my voice was taken away from me. It became a race against the clock, and thankfully we managed to beat it.
“From a humble start in Gloucester I have travelled the world and connected with some incredible people, with amazing talents and who have made it a lot of fun. My life is very different today, and I’ve been very honest about that in the book, but that’s only a small part of my story.”
Co-author Dean Wilson said: “Syd has led a fascinating life, full of twists and turns and it would have made for a great read even without the very latest development. That is why I was delighted to get involved and help get his life on to the page.
“But the enjoyable and light-hearted way we started things soon gave way to an altogether different experience following his diagnosis. It became a far more emotional and passionate project and one that I am both sad and uplifted to have worked on. There is something warm and genuine about Syd, and that nature is still there even though he has physically diminished before our eyes. This book has that character at its core throughout.”
About the authors:
Born in Gloucester to Jamaican parents, Dave Lawrence was playing for the county of his birth aged just 17. Seven years later he became the first British-born Black man to play Test cricket for England but his international career was cut short in dramatic fashion when he shattered his kneecap playing against New Zealand in 1992. He was forced to retire from cricket aged 29, but went on to forge successful careers as both a nightclub owner and a bodybuilder. In 2024 he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). He is the serving president of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.
Dean Wilson is a writer, broadcaster and sports media consultant with almost 25 years’ experience in the sports industry. In 2006, aged just 26, he became the first Black cricket correspondent of any UK national newspaper when he joined the Daily Mirror. Remaining in the role for almost 18 years he was the long-term ghostwriter for both Lord Ian Botham and Ben Stokes. Dean has commentated on cricket, rugby union and rugby league for the BBC, appeared as an expert contributor on BBC, ITV, Sky Sports and CNN, and has presented the sports bulletins on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. This is his fourth book.
Proudly supporting the MND Association and the Cricketer’s Trust:
A minimum of £0.50, evenly split between the MND Association (Registered Charity no. 294354) and the Cricketers’ Trust (Registered Charity no. 1120088) will be donated for every copy sold.
Buy the book:
In Syd’s Voice: The Extraordinary Life of Dave Lawrence is published by Fairfield Books in hardback and ebook formats. It is available to buy from fairfieldbooks.co.uk and all good booksellers.
The Cricketers’ Trust was created to support the lifelong health and wellbeing of current and former professional cricketers and their families when they need it most.
The MND Association focuses on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with or affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information visit mndassociation.org.
