FORMER Gloucestershire fast bowler David Lawrence has said that after becoming the club’s first black president he does not want the the appointment to be seen as a “token gesture.”

Four decades after making his debut for Gloucestershire at the age of 17, the player affectionately known as ‘Syd’ is back at the club where it all started for him as President, a position he says he’s “honoured” to hold.

His appointment means he is the first black person to hold the presidency role at Gloucestershire in the club’s 152-year history.

Speaking about his desire to become Club President, he told the club’s website that he doesn’t want to be seen as a “token gesture” because he’s black, and said he wants to make a real difference when it comes to championing diversity and offering equal opportunities in cricket.

He said: “I’m a local boy, born in Gloucester itself and I came to Bristol when I was 16, so to be back as President is a great honour for me. It does show you how far we’ve come as a club, it shows me where the game is going and needs to go.”

The former fast bowler played in 280 matches for Gloucestershire between 1981 and 1997, and took 625 wickets during his career.

He was a very popular figure in the team’s dressing room and among supporters during his playing days in Bristol, and was recognised for his talent with the ball with five England Test caps, in which he claimed 18 wickets.

Last September Lawrence, has received an apology from his former employers for the racist abuse he suffered while playing for the club.

Lawrence, now 57, appeared on a Sky Sports documentary called You Guys Are History when he recounted his experiences of racism while playing cricket in England in the 1980s. In the documentary, Lawrence recalls how he was racially abused by a Gloucestershire team-mate early on in his career.

“I remember my first away game at Gloucestershire. Somebody knocks on my door in the evening and one of my team-mates has left a banana skin,” said Lawrence. Gloucestershire “apologised unreservedly” for all the hurt Lawrence experienced

The apology came via a club statement on the club’s official website read: “On Friday 3 September Sky Sports aired a programme called You Guys are History which focused on the historical experiences of black players and officials playing cricket in England and Wales.

“The programme included an interview with former Gloucestershire and England fast bowler, David ‘Syd’ Lawrence, who spoke about the prejudices and challenges he faced during his playing career. He highlighted one particular incident that occurred in 1981 on his first County Championship away match for the club.

“Immediately after the transmission of the programme, and on hearing of this incident, the club contacted David; he has now met both the chair and chief executive to discuss this in detail. He also talked about another historical incident where he was racially abused by the crowd at an away fixture, but this was never investigated by the club. 

“The behaviour and attitudes David experienced were as unacceptable then as they are today. The club therefore wishes to apologise unreservedly to David for all the hurt he has experienced, both as a Gloucestershire player and as part of the wider cricketing network.

“The club would also like to apologise to any player or employee of the club who may have experienced similar prejudices during their time at Gloucestershire. We are determined that no-one should have to experience such behaviours and we will continue to welcome feedback, from players past and present, in developing a welcoming and inclusive environment.

“We would like to thank David for his openness, honesty and courage in coming forward and speaking up.”