Ferguson: "Alan has been a fantastic character in the dressing room and also a very important player for us. I was very sad to see him go.
Is There Still 'Banter' In Toon Dressing Room?
"There are few characters as big as him in this country at the moment and it was a very difficult one for us to decide.
"He'll be remembered with great affection by everyone here and I'm sure that's the case with the fans."
I've heard many tales from Newcastle players about the banter in days gone by, and obviously Gazza (pictured) takes the biscuit for trying to teach Brazilian Mirandnha Geordie before a match.
He had players in stitches as he kept a straight face, feeding Mirandinha absolute rubbish.
Probably the classic was when he told him to refer to woman as "hairy pies".