The owner of National League outfit Woking, Drew Volpe, has opened up on a financial crisis facing the club less than a week before their pre-season meeting with Reading.

The American entrepreneur took over in 2021 and aimed to take the Cardinals into the Football League, but the closest they came was a play-off defeat in 2023.

15th and 17th place finishes in the other two campaigns were below expectations and Mr Volpe has admitted that a loan from his parents has kept the club afloat in recent weeks.

Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey, Mr Volpe said: "The bottom line is I'm not made of money, so I couldn't keep on doing this for a fourth year straight," he added.

"Between tax stuff, insurance, some other liabilities, the numbers add up real fast – to a scary, scary degree.

"Once it's in your veins it's hard to stop, you want to keep chasing that promotion - but I realise now I can't keep doing it. I don't want to be eating out of a dumpster outside of my apartment."

In talks to sell the club, he has admitted that he is likely to only recoup £1 despite investing nearly £4m since taking over.

On Tuesday, the Royals head to Kingfield Stadium for their first open-to-fan friendly of the season.

The relevance of it being Reading coming up has not been lost on supporters, with Royals fans still fighting for the club's future after 18 months of torment under rogue owner Dai Yongge.

However, it does at least now look increasingly likely that the pain could end sooner rather than later, with former Wycombe Wanderers chief Rob Couhig closing in on a purchase.