I Am Called Man Utd: The Superfan Who Struggled to Change His Legal Name
Inquire of any Man United devotee who is older concerning the meaning of that fateful day in May 1999, and they'll recount that the occasion was life-altering. It was the moment when injury-time goals from Sheringham and Solskjær sealed an stunning come-from-behind victory in the showpiece event against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. Simultaneously, the world of one devoted supporter in Eastern Europe, who recently died at the 62 years old, took a new direction.
Hopes in a Bygone Era
That supporter was given the name Marin Levidzhov in his hometown, a place with a population of 22,000. Growing up in the former Eastern Bloc with a devotion to football, he aspired to legally altering his identity to… the Red Devils. But, to claim the name of a football club 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 Promise Forged in Drama
Many seasons after the end of communism in Bulgaria – on the unforgettable final – Marin's unique aspiration came one step closer to reality. Tuning in from home from his modest home in Svishtov and with his team losing, Marin swore an oath to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would do anything to legally adopt the name that of the club he loved. Then, a miracle occurred.
He realized his ambition to see the Theatre of Dreams.
Years of Judicial Challenges
The following morning, Marin sought legal counsel to state his extraordinary desire, thus initiating a difficult fight. The parent who inspired him, from whom he had inherited his love of United, was long gone, and the man in his thirties was caring for his parent, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a builder on minimal earnings. He was barely getting by, yet his dream became an obsession. He rapidly evolved into the talk of the town, then gained worldwide attention, but 15 years full of judicial disputes and setbacks in litigation awaited him.
Legal Obstacles and Small Wins
His request was rejected initially for copyright reasons: he was barred from using the title of a trademark known around the globe. Then a presiding magistrate allowed a compromise, saying Marin could modify his forename to Manchester but that he was not to use United as his official surname. “But I don’t want to be associated with just a place in Britain, I want to bear the identity of my cherished club,” Marin stated during proceedings. The battle persisted.
His Beloved Cats
Outside of legal proceedings, he was often caring for his feline friends. He had plenty of them in his back yard in Svishtov and loved them as much as the Manchester United. He gave each one a name after team stars: from Rio to Rooney, they were the most famous cats in town. Who was his preferred pet of Man U? A kitty called Beckham.
Marin bedecked in United gear.
Progress and Integrity
Another victory was secured in court: he was allowed to add United as an official nickname on his identification document. But still he wasn’t happy. “My efforts will persist until my full name is as I desire,” he declared. His tale attracted commercial propositions – an offer to have fan merchandise produced under his new name – but even with his monetary challenges, he declined the proposal because he did not want to profit from his favourite club. The Manchester United name was inviolable.
Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes
A film was made in that year. The filmmakers made his aspiration come true of seeing the iconic stadium and there he even encountered Dimitar Berbatov, the forward then at the club at the time.
Marin tattooed the team emblem on his brow at a later date as a demonstration against the court decisions and in his closing chapter it became increasingly hard for him to keep up the struggle. Work was limited and he lost his mother to the pandemic. But against the odds, he persevered. Originally of Catholic faith, he got baptised in an religious institution under the name Manchester United Zdravkov Levidzhov. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my real name,” he would frequently remark.
Earlier this week, his life came to an end. Perhaps now the club's persistent fan could finally find peace.
