A gallant 2-2 draw against Barcelona in the Nou Camp gave Chelsea a 3-2 aggregate victory and a place in the final for another crack at Europe's most prestigious club trophy after the heartbreaking 2008 loss to Manchester United on a rainy night in Moscow when Terry missed a potentially match-winning penalty.
The influential central defender has always vowed to make up for that shattering experience but an act of folly means he will be a mere cheerleader in Munich next month when Chelsea take on either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.
His instant red card for a ludicrous knee in the back of Barca striker Alexis Sanchez after 37 minutes, just after Sergio Busquets had put Barca in front and with central defensive partner Gary Cahill off injured, should have been curtains for his side's hopes.
"On a personal note, of course I'm disappointed but believe me this football club deserves to be in the Champions League final," said Terry, who initially tried to excuse himself but later admitted he deserved a red card.
"We've had a little bit of luck along the way in the competition and long may it continue, but I hope the incident doesn't take away from how well the lads played.
"I've apologised to [the players] and I want to apologise to all the Chelsea fans as well."
Such is Terry's stock at Chelsea, for whom he has made more than 540 appearances, that the fans will not castigate their captain who may have squandered his last chance to play in a second Champions League final.
Terry denies the charge but will go on trial in July and many are questioning his role in England's Euro 2012 squad.
The controversy over the racism allegations also left England without a manager after Fabio Capello apparently quit because he disagreed with the FA's stance on the matter.
Terry's performances on the pitch, despite knee surgery this season and two recent cracked ribs, have stood up well.
"At this level of footb
