Bobby was innocent!

Robbie The Bobby -- Bury's mascot named after the founder of the modern day police force Robert Peel -- was involved in a touchline brawl with his Cardiff City counterpart Barclay The Bluebird.

Punches were thrown and eight stewards raced on to the pitch to break up the fight as the game between the two teams continued at Gigg Lane last Wednesday . Both mascots were then escorted from the field.

But despite the controversy Bury chairman Terry Robinson confirmed last night that Robbie -- and the man inside the costume, plumber and lifelong Shakers fan Johnathan Pollard -- will not be sacked.

The club believes it was the Cardiff mascot who started the trouble.

"Robbie was hit by a punch and was so surprised he slipped and fell on top of their mascot," said Mr Robinson. "Robbie has been completely exonerated by our security staff and we won't be taking any further action."

A spokesman for Cardiff City refused to comment on the incident, which happened shortly after half time during Bury's 3-0 win against the Welsh club.

But Cardiff Supporters Club spokesman, Tony Jefferies, blames Bury's Robbie for the incident.

"The two of them had been involved in a bit of banter behind the goal in front of us. Then suddenly their mascot threw a giant haymaker at Barclay," said Mr Jefferies, who was sat directly behind the fight.

"The next thing we knew the pair of them were rolling around on the floor and then about 20 stewards and police officers jumped in and separated them.

"The weather was terrible and we were getting murdered on the pitch. It was the best moment of the night for us. It was the first time I've ever seen Barclay at an away game or in any trouble."

It is not the first time Bury's mascot has been involved in controversy. He was thrown out of the ground for mooning at visiting Stoke City supporters in September and last month got a ticking off for ripping the ears off Peterborough United's rabbit mascot.