Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Lawrence vows to modernise Gloucestershire
DAVID LAWRENCE is ready to shake up Gloucestershire cricket club just as he has done for more than 20 years as a Bristol nightclub owner.
As the latest president in the club’s 152-year history, the former fast bowler has vowed to do things his way across his two-year stint and bring them right up to date in the community.
Gloucester-born and bred, Lawrence was the first British-born black cricketer to play for England, and now he is the club’s first black president.
And as a man who can count members of Massive Attack and drum and bass musician Roni Size as friends, he wants to see a broad and diverse audience for the game.
“I’m not going to be a gin and tonic person with a blazer on,” Lawrence said.
“Cricket needs a more modern president. I’m proud and honoured to have the job for a two-year tenure and I’m going to do it my way.
“Most cricket clubs have their set way and that’s it really. We have an opportunity to bring it up to date a bit. Get away from that stuffiness.
Most cricket clubs have their set way and that’s it really. We have an opportunity to bring it up to date a bit. Get away from that stuffiness DAVID LAWRENCE
“I want them to be more in the community doing things as a cricket club. A friend of mine converts cargo containers to homes for the homeless.
“So I want the club to get involved with stuff like that. I would like to see more inner-city kids involved, black, white, I don’t care. I would love to see a local boy walking out to play for Gloucestershire.”
Lawrence, known as ‘Syd’, made his Test debut alongside another local hero, Jack Russell, in 1988, but his career was cruelly disrupted in New Zealand in 1992 when his kneecap split during his delivery stride.
After cricket Lawrence, now 58, launched a successful career as a restaurateur and club owner with Dojo Lounge his pride and joy in Bristol, and he also went on to win amateur UK bodybuilding titles before recently retiring.
He spoke movingly about his experiences of racist abuse during his time as a player on Sky Sports’ documentary You Guys are History and it prompted Gloucestershire to get in touch.
He added: “After the Sky documentary I was issued an apology by the club. I think it’s important for me as a black person to be viewed in the community that anything is possible.”