David was born in Poole in May 1933 and was an amateur with Poole Town before signing for Rovers in June 1955, going on to make the first of his five first team appearances in September 1956.
His debut, against Middlesbrough, saw him become the 327th player to make his league debut for the club and that number is on the back of his cap, awarded by the Supporters Club to all players who have made at least one league appearance for Rovers.
David’s daughter, Sarah, sponsored her Dad’s cap as a Christmas gift to her mother and has sent us this photo of David’s grandson, Alex Collie, with the cap. Alex is not only pictured with a photo of his grandfather, but is also wearing a Rovers away shirt.
Sarah’s message that she sent to us with the photo reads as follows.
Dear Keith,
Happy New Year.
As promised, attached is a picture with permission to use for the supporter’s club.
This is Alex Collie, aged 16 years, who is David Lawrence’s youngest grandson. He is holding a picture of his grandfather in his Bristol Rovers kit from his time in the mid 1950s. He is a goalkeeper and is a good few inches taller than his grandfather, but is as lithe and quick as he was.