My Name Is MUFC: The Superfan Who Fought to Change His Identity

Inquire of any Man United supporter of a certain age concerning the meaning of May 26th, 1999, and they'll recount that the date was life-altering. It was the evening when injury-time goals from Sheringham and Solskjær completed an incredible late turnaround in the showpiece event against Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou. It was also, the life of one loyal follower in Eastern Europe, who recently died at the age of 62, was transformed.

Hopes in a Bygone Era

The fan in question was given the name Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in a small Danube town, a community with a population of 22,000. Living in communist Bulgaria with a love of football, he aspired to adopting a new name to… his beloved club. But, to adopt the name of a sports team from the Western world was a futile endeavor. If he had attempted to do so during the socialist era, he would undoubtedly have faced imprisonment.

A Vow Made Under Pressure

Many seasons after the fall of the regime in Bulgaria – on the historic evening – Marin's idiosyncratic dream moved nearer to reality. Viewing the match from his simple residence in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin made a promise to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would spare no effort to legally adopt the name that of the team he adored. Then, against all odds, it transpired.

A lifelong wish to walk the halls of the famous stadium came true.

The Long Legal Battle

The next day, Marin visited a lawyer to present his unique case, thus beginning a long, hard battle. The parent who inspired him, from whom he had inherited his love of United, was deceased, and the man in his thirties was living with his mother, taking on various types of work, including as a builder on minimal earnings. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his aspiration grew into a mania. He quickly turned into the talk of the town, then was featured globally, but 15 years full of legal battles and discouraging rulings lay ahead.

Trademark Issues and Limited Success

The application was turned down at first for copyright reasons: he was barred from using the title of a trademark known around the globe. Then a local judge granted a limited approval, saying Marin could modify his forename to Manchester but that he was prohibited from using the second part as his official surname. “However, I desire to be identified with an urban area in England, I want to wear the name of my favourite football club,” Marin told the court. His fight went on.

Companions in Adversity

During breaks from litigation, he was often looking after his cats. He had a large number in his back yard in Svishtov and held them in the same esteem as the Red Devils. He named them all after United players: from Rio to Rooney, they were the best-known felines in town. Who was his preferred pet of Man U? A kitty called Beckham.

Marin bedecked in United gear.

Breakthroughs and Principles

Marin managed another breakthrough in court: he was permitted to include the club name as an official nickname on his ID card. But this did not satisfy him. “I will continue until my full name is as I desire,” he declared. His story soon led to financial opportunities – a chance to have club products produced under his new name – but even with his monetary challenges, he turned down the offer because he was unwilling to gain financially from his adored institution. The team's title was inviolable.

Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts

A film was made in that year. The crew fulfilled his wish of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even encountered the Bulgarian striker, the forward then at the club at the time.

Marin tattooed the team emblem on his brow subsequently as a objection to the legal rulings and in his final years it became more and more difficult for him to keep up the struggle. Employment was hard to find and he was bereaved to the pandemic. But he managed to continue. By birth a Catholic, he underwent baptism in an Eastern Orthodox church under the name his desired full name. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my true identity,” he used to say.

Earlier this week, his heart stopped beating. Perhaps now the club's determined supporter could achieve eternal tranquility.