I Am Called Manchester United: The Die-Hard Supporter Who Battled to Change His Name
Inquire of any Manchester United supporter who is older regarding the importance of May 26th, 1999, and they'll recount that the night changed them forever. It was the moment when last-minute strikes from Teddy Sheringham and Solskjær completed an incredible 2-1 comeback in the European Cup final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. It was also, the existence of one United fan in Bulgaria, who has died at the 62 years old, changed forever.
Hopes in a Bygone Era
The fan in question was originally called Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a community with a modest number of residents. Living in communist Bulgaria with a passion for football, he dreamed of changing his name to… Manchester United. Yet, to claim the name of a sports team from the Western world was a futile endeavor. Had Marin tried to do so before the fall of the regime, he would almost certainly have been arrested.
A Vow Made Under Pressure
A decade after the political changes in Bulgaria – on the historic evening – Marin's unique aspiration edged closer to fulfillment. Tuning in from home from his humble abode in Svishtov and with United trailing, Marin swore an oath to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would do anything to legally adopt the name that of the object of his devotion. Then, the impossible happened.
Marin fulfils his dream of visiting Old Trafford.
A Protracted Court Struggle
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 gained his fandom, was deceased, and the 36-year-old was residing with his mom, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a builder on a meager daily wage. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He quickly turned into the subject of gossip, then became an international sensation, but many seasons full of legal battles and disheartening court decisions were to come.
Legal Obstacles and Small Wins
Marin’s wish was rejected initially for intellectual property issues: 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 the city name but that he was prohibited from using the second part as his official surname. “However, I desire to be named after a city in Britain, I want to carry the title of my favourite football club,” Marin stated during proceedings. His fight went on.
Companions in Adversity
When not in court, he was often tending to his pets. He had many animals in his outdoor space in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the his team. He named them all after club legends: from Rio to Rooney, they were the best-known felines in town. The one he loved most of the name they used? One named after David Beckham.
Marin bedecked in United gear.
Progress and Integrity
Another victory was secured in court: he was allowed to add the club name as an legal alternative on his identification document. But still he wasn’t happy. “I will continue until my complete identity is as I desire,” he vowed. His story soon led to financial opportunities – a proposal to have club products made using his identity – but although he was in need, he turned down the offer because he did not want to profit from his beloved team. The Manchester United name was beyond commercial use.
Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts
A film was made in that year. The filmmakers fulfilled his wish of visiting Old Trafford and there he even encountered Dimitar Berbatov, the forward on the team's roster at the time.
Marin tattooed the team emblem on his forehead three years later as a objection to the judicial outcomes and in his closing chapter it became increasingly hard for him to persist with his fight. Employment was hard to find and he was bereaved to the pandemic. But against the odds, he persevered. Born as a Catholic, he underwent baptism in an Eastern Orthodox church under the name Manchester United Zdravkov Levidzhov. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my real name,” he would frequently remark.
On a recent Monday, his heart stopped beating. It is possible that Manchester United’s restless soul could at last be at rest.