CLUTCHING his son and grandson and beaming after a thumping 5-0 victory to maintain Albion’s promotion push, 92-year-old Seagulls supporter Dennis Caesar died in the best way possible his family have said.

Matt Caesar said his much-loved grandfather’s passing was almost instantaneous as they waited for a train at Falmer station following Friday night’s game at the American Express Community Stadium.

A minute’s applause in memory will ring round the Amex tonight in the fifth minute of the club’s vital game against QPR as the Albion family comes together to remember one of its own.

His family said they have been “blown away” by the response from Albion and their players, Seagulls’ supporters and fans from around the country who have all paid tribute.

Former semi-professional footballer and referee Dennis, from Hailsham, collapsed and died at the station despite the best efforts of his grandson Matt, two off-duty doctors and Albion staff who all rushed to his aid.

The three generations had made a special effort to go to the game together as part of birthday celebrations ahead of Dennis's 93rd birthday this Friday.

Although originally from Teddington in south west London, his family said “sports mad” Dennis always had a soft spot for Albion.

After moving to Crawley to take up an engineering job at the newly-built Manor Royal exactly 50 years ago, he started going week in week out with his only son Ray and the pair went to both FA Cup final matches in 1983 together.

Grandson Matt said: “We have been blown away by how much support and messages of condolences there have been, and not just from Albion fans.

“When it happened it was the worst moment you could possibly imagine but on reflection you probably could not choose a better way to go with his son and grandson by his side and having just watched Brighton win 5-0.

“Earlier in the day, we weren’t 100 per cent sure how well he was and we asked ‘are you sure you want to go?’ but he was adamant he was not going to miss it.

“He was ecstatic after the game.

“He put his arm around me and dad, I turned round to say something to him and he just went.

“I’ve been in the police so I knew immediately it was a cardiac arrest, I looked in his eyes and there was nothing, it was like he went straight away.”

Son Ray said: “He had not been able to go to Albion as much in the past few years but his support for the club was unreal.

“He loved the Amex, even on Friday as soon as he entered the stadium his face just lit up, he was so proud of what Albion had achieved.

“He was really, really excited about the possibility of Albion getting into the Premier League especially after last season.”

A date has still to be set for Dennis’s funeral at Eastbourne Crematorium but his family have said Albion fans will be very welcome to attend.