A Chester FC pitch invader who threw coins and stones at opposition fans has been handed a three-year Football Banning Order.

Elliott Smith, 26, of Cairns Crescent, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity at Chester Magistrates Court on Tuesday, October 10 to going on to the Deva Stadium playing field without reasonable excuse, and throwing a missile at a spectators area.

Prosecuting, Jessica Pridding said Chester FC had been playing Brackley Town in the National League North play-off semi-final, which Brackley won 1-0.

At the conclusion of the match, a number of Chester FC supporters invaded the pitch and there was a "large-scale" disturbance between them and Brackley supporters who were in the away stand.

Smith, the court heard, was seen "throwing coins and stones" at the Brackley fans.

A social media appeal was put out by police and Smith voluntarily attended a police station.

In interview, Smith said he had drunk a lot of alcohol that day and could not remember much of what he did, but did recall going on to the pitch and "following the crowd".

He was "disappointed and embarrassed by his actions".

He had one previous conviction for a dissimilar offence.

Defending, David Campbell said Smith "deeply regrets his behaviour" from that day.

It was the defendant's "first time he had been to a football match for an awful long time", and it would "be an extremely expensive day out for him".

Magistrates fined Smith £120 each for the pitch invasion and throwing of missiles, plus £120 court costs and a £96 victim surcharge.

A three-year Football Banning Order was imposed.

The FBO prohibits Smith from being in a boundary of Chester defined by police for four hours before or after any Chester FC home game. For Chester FC away matches, the FBO prohibits Smith from being in the area of where the team is playing before or after the game. The FBO also applies to England matches.

Cheshire Police have this week reported that 12 more men are due to appear at Chester Magistrates Court in the next few weeks, charged in connection with disorder at the play-off semi-final.