David Lawrence: Life with MND

Former England and Gloucestershire bowler David ‘Syd’ Lawrence was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in June and has shown immense courage to tell his story with support from the Cricketers’ Trust.

Sat comfortably in an executive box above the sight screen at the ground he still calls home, overlooking play at Bristol, Syd would often be seen running in and giving everything for his beloved team.

A juggernaut on the field, Lawrence is a man mountain off it too, and until five years ago was still competing as a body builder. However, that is hard to imagine now as he sits in a support chair bespoke to his needs, bravely speaking through tears in front of the Sky Sports cameras in an emotional and moving interview. To be aired for the first time on Finals Day, the conversation had to be paused so his adoring wife Gaynor could wipe the tears from his face, but nothing would stop his incredible fight and desire to tell his story.

Taking a phenomenal number of wickets during his career, he describes himself as ‘a strong, fearsome, never give up, big hearted fast bowler.’ The 60-year-old took 670 dismissals in First-Class and List A cricket, alongside playing five Test matches and an ODI for England, before a knee injury in Wellington all but ended his career, aged just 28.

Following an operation to have his left kneecap removed last year, Lawrence wasn’t recovering as he should with a persistent tingling sensation in his toes, his right leg gave way. Four months in hospital and multiple tests and procedures was followed by the dreaded diagnosis.

“It’s your worst nightmare. It was the worst day of my life. I call it the sadistic disease because it’s the worst you can get, you’ve got to not look too far into the future because that’s what can scare you. I try to live in the present and enjoy every day.

“My family were there with me for the diagnosis, we were all devasted, it wasn’t the news we were expecting, we knew there was something wrong but we didn’t think it was MND.

“This is the new normal, we have to accept this is the new me and you’ve got to get on with it. I’ve had a good 60 years of my life, with whatever I’ve got left hopefully I can do a few things and try and make a difference and that’s all you can do.”

The former fast bowler’s parents came to England during the Windrush in the 1950s and on Test debut at Lord’s in 1988, he became the first British-born Black player to represent his country, an achievement he puts just behind the birth of his son in the proudest moments of his life.

“The injury in New Zealand that I suffered, I could deal with as an athlete, mine was obviously devastating because it finished my playing days, but I’ve clearly done something to upset the big man upstairs because he ended my career and has now given me this disease, maybe he’s not a Gloucestershire fan,” Lawrence joked.

The showpiece event in the county calendar is supporting the players’ charity for the fifth year in succession with the aim of raising vital funds so the Trust can continue providing life-changing and often life-saving assistance, sadly as Lawrence has been exposed to in 2024.

In 2023, the Trust supported 105 mental health cases and with 61 referrals in the first six months of 2024, the number of individuals assisted since 2015 has reached almost 800.

“The Trust were amazing when I got in touch, they helped get me counselling because I was really struggling with not knowing what was wrong with me. Being able to talk to someone and share my feelings in a really dark time was a huge help.”

The Trust has funded Lawrence’s chair, as well as contributing to house alterations, allowing him to move around the family home more freely.

“This chair that I get around in is wonderful, it does everything and gets me out and about and the improvements that have been made to our home have really helped, the Trust has given us tremendous support.

“Seeing the stories that the Trust have told in recent years makes you realise you never know what is around the corner and that’s why the Trust is such a great thing. It’s vital for current and ex-players. It’s a great charity that cricketers are lucky to have, I’m very grateful for how they’ve helped me and my family.”

The Gloucestershire President has also recently gone through the process of recording his voice in preparation for the sad eventuality that he will likely lose the ability to speak naturally. He remains hopeful he will be able to deliver his speech at his son’s wedding in late September after it was brought forwards due to the diagnosis.

“It wasn’t easy going to record my voice but I’m glad it’s done. My wife can now write things in that she wants me to say and I’ll have no choice. I really want my voice to be ok on the day of Buster’s wedding so I can make my father-of-the-groom speech.”

Lawrence is writing a book about his life in cricket and his journey with MND for publication in April next year, looking into to his current daily struggles and delivering an incredible insight into the changes that have occurred in his life.

“I just want to do as much as I can while I’m able to. If one person can take strength from that, then brilliant. There’s no doubt that with MND, you’ve got to be brave and I’ve always been a big strong guy and I’ve got to accept it takes away some of your personality and that’s a difficult thing. Whatever this disease is, it cannot take away my fighting spirit.”

Alongside fellow Trust beneficiary Shaun Udal, Lawrence will be in attendance with his son at Vitality Blast Final’s Day.

“It’s always a great day to watch and I can’t wait to be there as a guest of the Cricketers’ Trust. Mark Alleyne has done a great job with the Gloucestershire boys this season, so naturally I’m hoping that they can secure the win.”

The Cricketers’ Trust provides vital support to past and present cricketers in England and Wales and their immediate families when in desperate need. The charity’s work is all encompassing, whether it be for unforeseen physical or mental needs.

Text TRUSTTEN or TRUSTTWENTY to 70085 to donate £10 or £20.

*Texts cost £10 / £20 plus one standard network rate message. 100% of your donation will support the work of the Cricketers’ Trust.

Vitality Blast Finals Day is supporting the players’ charity – to find out more about the work of the Cricketers’ Trust, visit Our Impact and you can donate here.