BURY FC mascot "Robbie The Bobby" was in the thick of the action on Wednesday night (Nov 7) after a brawl with his Cardiff City rival.

His opposing number "Barclay the Bluebird" was escorted from the ground by stewards after starting a fight with the Shakers mascot and coming off worst.

The mascot maul broke out shortly after half-time during Bury's 3-0 defeat of the Welsh club at Gigg Lane.

The 2,000-strong Bury contingent cheered as Barclay the Bluebird, whose identity is being kept a secret by Cardiff, was led away after punches were exchanged. Robbie left the ground by a different exit point a few minutes later.

Later, Jonathan Pollard, who wears the Robbie outfit, said he was only trying to defend himself against Barclay. The 6ft 4 ins, 15-stone plumber said: "I asked Barclay before the half-time whistle if he wanted to do the half-time draw. He said no and called the Bury fans scum. He then said I was going to get it.

"At the start of the second half, he starting putting his fists up at me and jabbing me. I thought we were just fooling around then he just hit me hard with a right hook.

"That was it. I hit him with a few lefts and then he grabbed hold of me. I knocked his head off and managed to give him a few upper-cuts. I think I broke his nose."

Jonathan (26) was later spoken to by chairman Terry Robinson who was satisfied that Barclay started the brawl.

It is not the first time Robbie has been involved in matchday dust-ups. Only last week, he ripped the ears off Peter Burrow, Peterborough's mascot.

Earlier in the season, he had been ejected from the ground and warned about his conduct after "mooning" at Stoke City fans.

Jonathan, a former amateur boxer, said: "Other mascots have heard of my reputation and are always having a go. I don't mind. I can hold my own.

"I don't regret what happened with Barclay. He started it and I defended myself. I'd do it again if I have to."

A spokeswoman for Cardiff described the incident as a "non event".