Football club directors have said they cannot ‘condone’ the actions of fans who shattered a minute’s silence with chants mocking a Wrexham supporter's death.

As the Swansway stadium observed the poignant tribute, a voice erupted shouting ‘Scotty’s in a box’, in reference to Scott Torrens – who died after suffering an epileptic seizure in his sleep in November 2013.

A number of fans were filmed joining in the chants, jumping around and pointing in the direction of the Wrexham fans – where Mr Torrens' distressed brother Kieron was sat.

The chanting came just 25 seconds into a pre-planned one minute’s silence to mark 80 years since the Gresford Mining disaster, which had to be cut short as the chanting continued and some Wrexham fans tried to get into the home stand to confront Chester supporters.

Yesterday (Thursday, February 13, 2015) eight of the fans – said to be members of a ‘risk group’ known as the 125s – were banned from matches for a total of 29 years and ordered to pay fines and costs totalling over £2,000 following the incident at the derby game on September 22, 2014.

Their behaviour was slated as ‘disgraceful’ by presiding magistrate Theresa Whittingham, who was shown footage of the incident during the hearing at Chester Magistrates Court.

Chester FC board members met last night following the hearing.

All men were said to be remorseful and did not know the significance of the chants when they joined in.

In a short statement, issued today (February 13, 2015) Chester FC’s board of directors said: “[We] cannot condone the actions of a few but the majority of supporters of both sides were well behaved and respected the minute’s silence.

“We are meeting with our colleagues from Wrexham on Monday and following that meeting we will be issuing a joint statement.”

The meeting is said to be to foster relationships between the two clubs, who are already said to work closely together to ensure fans’ safety.

Heavy police presence at the Chester FC v Wrexham match

During the hearing the court heard of the rivalry between Chester and Wrexham fans, and of a number of incidents involving the mocking of supporters, both at matches and on social media, who had tragically died.

Last year four Wrexham fans appeared in court after unfurling a banner reading “2 dead fans and 1 dead club” directed towards Chester FC fans during a derby match at the Racecourse Stadium in 2013.

The men received a combination of bans from football grounds for up to five years, fines and curfews, after mocking the death of two fans and making hanging gestures during the match.

Speaking after yesterday's sentencing, Inspector Steve Precious, of Chester Inner NPU, said: “The behaviour of some of the fans at this match was not only unacceptable, but also extremely offensive. The language used was extremely disrespectful towards the family of Mr Torrens.

“Disorderly behaviour at any football match in Cheshire will not be tolerated, and I hope that the orders issued today will send out a clear message that we will use all of the powers available to us to prevent it occurring.”

The fans were arrested during an operation by Cheshire police last month.

Police put a Chester FC fan in the back of van following an arrest in Lache

Sean Sweetman, 25, of Woodside Road, Blacon, Matthew Wilbraham, 19, of Whitchurch Road, Boughton, Jay Kelly, 18, Oak Road, Chester, Tom Ashton, 18, of Park Avenue, Saltney, and Thomas Foy, 26, of Western Avenue, Blacon were each banned for three years after pleading guilty to a public order offence.

Robert Croft, 23, of Maple Grove, Saltney, was banned for three years after pleading guilty to the offence and an additional charge of pitch invasion.

Joshua Jones, 21, of St Mark’s Road, Saltney, was banned for five years after pleading guilty to his part in the chanting and invading the pitch.

An eighth man, Adam Hardy, 23, of Canterbury Road, Blacon was also banned for three years, after pleading guilty to invading the pitch – there was no suggestion he was involved in the chanting.

Three youths – two aged 16 and one aged 17 – who can’t be identified for legal reasons, also pleaded guilty to the public order offence. They will be sentenced at youth court on February 24.