THE man behind Bury FC's Robbie the Bobby mascot has been given his marching orders after a spate of controversial touchline antics.

But the man in the big suit -- Jonathan Pollard -- refused to go quietly after being asked to step down by the club, and has claimed he was forced out.

The mascot, sent off four times this season for brawling, swearing and mooning, agreed to quit yesterday after talks with the club.

Despite Robbie attracting worldwide media attention -- including his own website in New Zealand -- Bury FC say they were left with no option.

The club was forced to act after the referee at Tuesday night's FA Cup match with Lincoln City confirmed he would be including Robbie's antics in his report.

That could lead to an FA fine -- and with Bury in deep financial trouble it was a risk they just could not take.

Chairman Terry Robinson explained: "During the cup game our mascot was spoken to by police for allegedly making obscene gestures to the referee and for making obscene and abusive comments while adjacent to the field of play.

"While the present incumbent has lifted the profile of Robbie the Bobby, the club cannot condone any affront to public decency and certainly must distance themselves from anything that may bring the game into disrepute.

"Despite prior guidelines on what is humorous and acceptable, these guidelines have been ignored and the inevitable consequence has resulted.

"All people associated with the club have to abide by the FA rules, including mascots."

Bury FC commercial director Peter Young added: "Nobody here thinks he is anything but brilliant, but rules are rules. His decision to leave was mutually agreed."

However, Mr Pollard tells a different story and was unrepentant about his pitchside hi-jinks.

A 26-year-old lifelong Shakers fan, Mr Pollard said: "The club has been after me for a while now. They have pre-empted a new FA code of conduct for mascots.

"The club wanted me to admit that I was out of order but, as far as I see it, I have done nothing wrong. They simply wanted me out."

He added: "I am sure that the fans will voice their support for me at the next match."

Robbie first hit the headlines in September when he "mooned" at visiting Stoke City fans and was ejected from the ground for crowd incitement.

He enhanced his reputation by ripping the ears off Peterborough's rabbit mascot, followed by a brawl with his Cardiff City counterpart.

His behaviour was so bad that the Football League drew up a code of conduct for mascots, to be implemented at the start of next season. However, though Mr Pollard is gone, Robbie will live on. The club is advertising for someone to take over the job.