I Go By Man Utd: This Die-Hard Supporter Who Battled to Alter His Name
Pose the question to any Manchester United fan from an earlier generation about the meaning of 26 May 1999, and they will tell you that the night was life-altering. It was the evening when injury-time goals from Sheringham and Solskjær completed an incredible late turnaround in the European Cup final against Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou. It was also, the life of one devoted supporter in Bulgaria, who passed away at the 62 years old, was transformed.
A Dream Born in Communist Bulgaria
The fan in question was originally called Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a community with a tight-knit community. Living in a socialist state with a love of football, he dreamed of legally altering his identity to… the Red Devils. But, to adopt the name of a organization from the Western world was a futile endeavor. Any effort to do so during the socialist era, he would almost certainly have ended up in jail.
A Vow Made Under Pressure
A decade after the end of communism in Bulgaria – on the unforgettable final – Marin's personal goal edged closer to reality. Tuning in from home from his humble abode in Svishtov and with United trailing, Marin swore an oath to himself: should his team mount a comeback, he would spare no effort to legally adopt the name that of the club he loved. Then, the impossible happened.
Marin fulfils his dream of visiting Old Trafford.
The Long Legal Battle
A day later, Marin visited a lawyer to present his unique case, thus starting a grueling process. Marin’s father, from whom he had learned to support the club, was no longer alive, and the man in his thirties was residing with his mom, working all kinds of odd jobs, including as a construction worker on a meager daily wage. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his dream became an obsession. He soon became the subject of gossip, then was featured globally, but a decade and a half full of judicial disputes and disheartening court decisions lay ahead.
Copyright Hurdles and Partial Victories
His request was rejected initially for trademark concerns: he was barred from using the title of a trademark known around the globe. Then a local judge allowed a compromise, saying Marin could alter his given name to the city name but that he was not to use the second part as his family name. “However, I desire to be associated with just a place in England, I want to carry the title of my favourite football club,” Marin told the court. The battle persisted.
His Beloved Cats
During breaks from litigation, he was often tending to his pets. He had a large number in his outdoor space in Svishtov and loved them as much as the Red Devils. He named them all after club legends: from Rio to Rooney, they were the celebrity pets in town. Who was his preferred pet of his close friends' nickname for him? A kitty called Beckham.
He was often seen in full club regalia.
Progress and Integrity
Another victory was secured in court: he was permitted to include United as an recognized alias on his personal papers. But this did not satisfy him. “My efforts will persist until my full name is as I desire,” he declared. His tale attracted financial opportunities – an offer to have supporters' goods made using his identity – but even with his monetary challenges, he rejected the opportunity because he was unwilling to gain financially from his beloved team. The Manchester United name was sacred to him.
Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes
A film was made in 2011. The crew fulfilled his wish of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even met his compatriot, the Bulgaria striker on the team's roster at the time.
He inked the club badge on his brow at a later date as a demonstration against the legal rulings and in his final years it became ever tougher for him to continue his legal battle. Job opportunities were scarce and he was bereaved to Covid-19. But somehow, he found a way. Born as a Catholic, he underwent baptism in an Eastern Orthodox church under the name the identity he sought. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my true identity,” he often stated.
Earlier this week, his heart stopped beating. Perhaps now the club's persistent fan could finally find peace.
