'He'll regret it': The day Alex Ferguson left Aberdeen for Manchester United

Alex Ferguson announced he was joining Manchester United on 6 November 1986, leaving Aberdeen after eight trophy-laden years and provoking shock among supporters; on the 40th anniversary of that decision, those involved in the events have been reflecting on the day.

Ferguson had guided Aberdeen to three league titles, four Scottish Cups, the Cup Winners' Cup and the UEFA Super Cup before departing, and went on to win 38 trophies during a 26-year tenure at Old Trafford. The story of his move to Manchester United was broken by BBC Scotland broadcaster Roddy Forsyth, who was sent to Aberdeen to investigate rumours the Dons boss was in talks with the English club.

Forsyth said he boarded a flight to Aberdeen that was filled with journalists, most of whom were heading north to cover the Chinook helicopter disaster in Shetland in which 43 people died, and eventually tracked Ferguson and Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards down in an airport hotel. He recounted: "I heard some voices and made my way to them," and described asking, "are you the new manager of Manchester United?" to which Ferguson replied "yes". "They had a bottle of champagne which they were drinking and Fergie poured me a little champagne in a wine glass, and I toasted him as the new manager," Forsyth said, and he then confirmed the story to his newsroom.

Reflecting on the media day, Forsyth added: "Of course, the normal news led with the Sumburgh disaster, and then the sporting news led with Alex Ferguson. It was a big day for news and sport and broadcasting. It was one of these utterly memorable days of your career and your life."

Fans interviewed at the Pittodrie Bar on the day were divided, with one telling BBC Reporting Scotland: "I think he's making the wrong move, I think he will regret it." Another said: "Ferguson was preaching about having loyal players. He envied Rangers and Celtic for having that. In other words, he was condemning his players for leaving Aberdeen, he has set a perfect example he has just walked out."

Sandy Smith, 72, reflected four decades on: "I have 'seen it all' in a lifetime of supporting the Dons. It was totally gutting. To be fair Man United and Aberdeen - there is no comparison. After all he did for the club, I was gutted. He had sticky first couple of seasons down there, but he got there in the end." Ian Donald, the club's vice-chairman at the time, described the move as a "shattering blow" and said: "It happened so quickly virtually overnight. From yesterday morning perhaps having the best management team in Britain we are losing them both."

Captain Willie Miller recalled the period after Ferguson left as one of "uncertainty," saying: "You would not get away with it now. It was probably what we expected back then from a manager. I do not think the modern day player would accept anything close to it, you know, cups getting thrown around dressing rooms. He did not just want to win things, he wanted to win them with style. And it was OK with me. I was disappointed to see him go, I must admit, I think everybody was of the same opinion."

Ultimately Ferguson made the move, taking his assistant with him, and in his first press conference as new boss he said: "I left probably the most secure job in British football with a life contract at Aberdeen. There's only one club that could possibly tempt me away from that and it is the only club I ever wanted to go to way from Aberdeen." Ferguson signed programmes for fans when he joined Manchester United and was eventually forgiven by many at Pittodrie; he was granted the freedom of Aberdeen in 1999.

Thirteen Premier League titles, two Champions League victories, five FA cups and four League Cups later - maybe not.