David ‘Syd’ Lawrence: Former England and Gloucestershire bowler dies following MND diagnosis

After retirement he became a nightclub owner and amateur bodybuilder before being named Gloucestershire’s club president in 2022.

He continued in the role after his MND diagnosis last year and has been a prominent campaigner to support those with the disease.

In an interview with BBC Breakfast in September, Lawrence said he had been inspired by former England and Leeds rugby league player Rob Burrow, who died from the illness earlier last year, and had spoken to Burrow’s friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield after his own diagnosis.

When Gloucestershire won the T20 Blast last year, there were emotional scenes when captain James Bracey presented Lawrence with the trophy.

Gloucestershire’s players and supporters wore pink during a ‘Pink4Syd’ day during a T20 on Friday.

Lawrence recently released a autobiography, In Syd’s Voice – The Extraordinary Life of Syd Lawrence, which shares the highest points of his career and intimate moments and memories of his life.

He leaves wife Gaynor and son Buster.

“A proud Gloucestershire man, Syd took on every challenge with everything he could and his final contest with MND was no different,” his family added.

“His willingness to encourage and think of others right up to the end was typical of the man he was.”