James Bracey doesn’t immediately think of statistics, wickets or career milestones when the name Syd Lawrence comes to mind. Instead, his thoughts turn to a man whose generosity and passion for Gloucestershire cricket never waned.
This Sunday, the county will pay tribute to the late England fast‑bowler during their Metro Bank One‑Day Cup clash with Nottinghamshire. Players will don a specially designed kit, and the event will also serve as a fundraiser for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA), an organization close to Lawrence’s heart. For Bracey, the upcoming ceremony carries a deeply personal resonance.
The memory that stands out most vividly is from September 2024, when Gloucestershire clinched the T20 Blast for the first time in the club’s history. Despite battling motor neurone disease at the time, Lawrence was present to hand over the trophy. "That moment meant a great deal to me," Bracey told Sky Sports. "We were over‑joyed to have secured the Blast, but seeing how much it meant to Syd, even in the later stages of his life, was profoundly moving." He continued, "It was a clear illustration of how much he loved the club.
Watching his face light up as he lifted that trophy is a memory I’ll cherish forever." Lawrence, who passed away in June 2025 at the age of 61, remains one of the most influential figures in the history of Gloucestershire cricket. In 1988 he broke new ground as the first British‑born Black cricketer to represent England in Test cricket, and later he made history again by becoming Gloucestershire’s first Black president. Although Bracey never saw Lawrence play on the field, the former’s impact on the county was impossible to ignore. "From what I’ve observed, he was an extraordinarily kind and approachable individual who cared deeply about Gloucestershire cricket," Bracey explained.
"Whenever he was at the ground, he would strike up conversations with everyone. He had a larger‑than‑life personality and an endless well of energy." The Sunday tribute is also intended to raise awareness of motor neurone disease and to highlight the vital work carried out by the MNDA. "Syd was very open about his condition," Bracey said.
"But the disease affects not just the individual – it touches families, friends and the wider community. That’s the remarkable thing about the MNDA: they support the person living with the illness while also providing assistance to those around them." Lawrence’s legacy stretches far beyond the boundaries of the County Ground. As a pioneering Black cricketer, he helped to dismantle barriers and open doors for future generations of players from diverse backgrounds.
"We’ve seen considerable progress over the years," Bracey noted. "However, there is still a great deal of work to be done to sustain that progress and to push it even further." As Gloucestershire and Nottinghamshire unite to honour Lawrence’s memory, Bracey hopes that fans will remember not only the cricketer and trailblazer but also the man behind those titles. "When I think of Syd, I’m instantly taken back to that day in September," he said.
"It was an incredibly special and joyous moment for me to witness how much that achievement meant to him." The upcoming tribute will celebrate a man whose devotion to Gloucestershire never faded, even as his health declined. His spirit continues to inspire the club and its supporters, reminding everyone that love for the game and commitment to community can endure long after a player hangs up his boots.
The event promises to be a fitting homage to a figure whose influence will be felt for years to come, both on the pitch and in the broader conversation about inclusion and health advocacy within cricket.