I Am Called Manchester United: The Die-Hard Supporter Who Fought to Change His Identity
Pose the question to any Manchester United supporter from an earlier generation about the significance of 26 May 1999, and they will tell you that the night changed them forever. It was the night when injury-time goals from Sheringham and Solskjær completed an incredible 2-1 comeback in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. Simultaneously, the existence of one devoted supporter in Eastern Europe, who recently died at the age of 62, changed forever.
A Dream Born in Communist Bulgaria
The fan in question was born Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in his hometown, a place with a population of 22,000. Being raised in communist Bulgaria with a passion for football, he dreamed of legally altering his identity to… the Red Devils. Yet, to adopt the name of a organization from the capitalist west was a futile endeavor. Had Marin tried to do so prior to the end of communism, he would undoubtedly have faced imprisonment.
A Vow Made Under Pressure
Ten years after the political changes in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's idiosyncratic dream edged closer to achievement. Viewing the match from his simple residence 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 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 following morning, Marin sought legal counsel to express his unusual request, thus beginning a long, hard battle. His dad, from whom he had learned to support the club, was deceased, and the man in his thirties was caring for his parent, taking on various types of work, including as a laborer on minimal earnings. He was barely getting by, yet his dream became an obsession. He quickly turned into the talk of the town, then was featured globally, but 15 years full of court cases and setbacks in litigation were to come.
Copyright Hurdles and Partial Victories
His request was rejected initially for trademark concerns: he was not permitted to adopt the name of a internationally recognized entity. Then a presiding magistrate allowed a compromise, saying Marin could modify his forename to Manchester but that he was could not adopt United as his family name. “Yet my aim is to be named after a city in Britain, I want to wear the name of my beloved team,” Marin told the court. The struggle continued.
His Beloved Cats
When not in court, he was often tending to his pets. He had a large number in his outdoor space in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the Manchester United. He named them all after team stars: such as Vidic and others, they were the most famous cats in town. Which was the favourite cat of the name they used? A kitty called Beckham.
His attire consistently showed his allegiance.
Advances and Ethics
Another victory was secured in court: he was allowed to add the club name as an recognized alias on his identification document. But this did not satisfy him. “My efforts will persist until my complete identity is as I desire,” he declared. His story soon led to commercial propositions – a proposal to have supporters' goods produced under his new name – but despite his financial struggles, he declined the proposal because he was unwilling to gain financially from his favourite club. The club's identity was beyond commercial use.
Goals Achieved and Enduring Symbols
A film was made in that year. The production team made his aspiration come true of seeing the iconic stadium and there he even encountered the Bulgarian striker, the Bulgaria striker then at the club at the time.
He inked the team emblem on his brow at a later date as a objection to the judicial outcomes and in his last few years it became ever tougher for him to continue his legal battle. Employment was hard to find and he suffered the death of his mother to Covid-19. But against the odds, he persevered. Originally of Catholic faith, he underwent baptism in an religious institution under the name his desired full name. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my real name,” he often stated.
Earlier this week, his time ran out. It is possible that the club's persistent fan could achieve eternal tranquility.
