My Name Is MUFC: This Superfan Who Fought to Alter His Identity
Inquire of any Man United supporter who is older concerning the meaning of that fateful day in May 1999, and they will tell you that the night left an indelible mark. It was the evening when injury-time goals from Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær completed an incredible late turnaround in the European Cup final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. It was also, the existence of one devoted supporter in Bulgaria, who has died at the age of 62, took a new direction.
A Dream Born in Communist Bulgaria
That supporter was born Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in a small Danube town, a community with a modest number of residents. Growing up in the former Eastern Bloc with a love of football, he aspired to adopting a new name to… the Red Devils. But, to claim the name of a organization from the other side of the Iron Curtain was an unattainable goal. Had Marin tried to do so before the fall of the regime, he would likely have ended up in jail.
A Promise Forged in Drama
Many seasons after the political changes in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's unique aspiration came one step closer to fulfillment. Watching the final from his simple residence in Svishtov and with his team losing, 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 object of his devotion. Then, a miracle occurred.
A lifelong wish to walk the halls of the famous stadium came true.
The Long Legal Battle
A day later, Marin visited a lawyer to present his unique case, thus beginning a long, hard battle. Marin’s father, from whom he had gained his fandom, was long gone, and the 36-year-old was caring for his parent, taking on various types of work, including as a construction worker on minimal earnings. He was struggling financially, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He quickly turned into the subject of gossip, then was featured globally, but a decade and a half full of judicial disputes and discouraging rulings were to come.
Trademark Issues and Limited Success
The application was denied early on for trademark concerns: he was barred from using the title of a trademark known around the globe. Then a presiding magistrate granted a limited approval, saying Marin could alter his given name to Manchester but that he was could not adopt the second part as his legal last name. “Yet my aim is to be identified with an urban area in the UK, I want to wear the name of my beloved team,” Marin told the court. His fight went on.
A Life with Feline Friends
During breaks from litigation, he was often tending to his pets. He had many animals in his outdoor space in Svishtov and loved them as much as the his team. He named them all after team stars: including Ferdinand and Rooney, 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.
Progress and Integrity
Marin managed another breakthrough in court: he was permitted to include the club name as an official nickname on his identification document. But he remained dissatisfied. “I will continue until my entire name is as I desire,” he declared. His story soon led to business offers – a proposal to have club products made using his identity – but although he was in need, he declined the proposal because he was unwilling to gain financially from his favourite club. The club's identity was beyond commercial use.
Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes
A documentary followed in 2011. The filmmakers made his aspiration come true of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even encountered the Bulgarian striker, the forward on the team's roster at the time.
Marin tattooed the club badge on his face subsequently as a objection to the court decisions and in his final years it became increasingly hard for him to persist with his fight. Job opportunities were scarce and he lost his mother to Covid-19. But somehow, he found a way. Born as a Catholic, he got baptised in an orthodox church under the name the identity he sought. “At least God will know me with my real name,” he used to say.
On a recent Monday, his life came to an end. It is possible that Manchester United’s persistent fan could finally find peace.