Ballack steps in to help former club Chemnitzer

BERLIN, Jan 19 (Reuters) Germany captain Michael Ballack has stepped in with a cash gift to help his former club Chemnitzer FC.

Ballack earns a fortune at Premier League champions Chelsea and the 30-year-old will spend a fraction of it to help Chemnitzer take their physiotherapist back on staff after financial problems meant they had to lay him off.

''As my hometown club I owe Chemnitzer a lot,'' Ballack said in a statement on the club's Web site (www.chemnitzerfc.de).

''They had a lot to do with my personal development and I want to give something back.'' Ballack, who moved to Chelsea from Bayern Munich last year, joined Chemnitzer in 1986 and made his professional debut for the club in 1995 when they were in the second division. They now play in the multi-region fourth division.

Last year Ballack made a donation of equipment to the club's youth team.

REUTERS PM BS1736