[1] His final World Championship appearance came in 1998, when he lost 8–10 to eventual champion John Higgins in the first round.

[4] Although Ferguson continued to play professionally for a further six years, his form suffered due to his increased workload after being elected to the WPBSA board.

[1] In December 1998 Ferguson was elected alongside Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor to the WPBSA's seven-person board, at the time led by Rex Williams.

[7] An attempt by Ferguson, Davis and Taylor to remove Williams and Bob Close in August 1999 failed, and a counter-motion saw the three voted off the board, although this was later reversed.

He was criticised for endorsing the board's decision to fire chief executive Jim McKenzie one week after becoming chairman.