• Ernie Crouch, 90, was blown by gust of wind into a bus • Crouch attended his first Arsenal match in 1934

Arsenal have paid tribute to a 90-year-old supporter who died after he was blown by the wind into a bus on his way to Saturday’s match against Sunderland.

Ernie Crouch, who attended his first Arsenal match in 1934, is believed to have been caught by a gust of wind and blown into the road near Finchley Central station. He was attended to by emergency services but later died of his injuries.

Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong fan Ernie Crouch. May he rest in peace

“Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong fan Ernie Crouch. May he rest in peace,” read a tweet from Arsenal’s account on Sunday evening.

Pat Hale of Arsenal Supporters Club told BBC Radio 5 live: “He travelled to every away game with us and always had his regular front seat. It is going to be very upsetting next Sunday morning [when Arsenal travel to Aston Villa] to get on the bus and he won’t be there.

“Football was just his life. He promised his son not to go to any more away games when he turned 90, but last week we saw him at Norwich.”