I Am Called Man Utd: This Die-Hard Supporter Who Battled to Change His Identity
Pose the question to any United devotee from an earlier generation regarding the meaning of that fateful day in May 1999, and they'll recount that the night left an indelible mark. It was the evening when injury-time goals from Sheringham and Solskjær sealed an unbelievable 2-1 comeback in the showpiece event against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. Simultaneously, the life of one devoted supporter in Bulgaria, who has died at the 62 years old, changed forever.
A Dream Born in Communist Bulgaria
That supporter was originally called Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in Svishtov, a settlement with a tight-knit community. Living in communist Bulgaria with a passion for football, he aspired to changing his name to… Manchester United. Yet, to take the name of a organization from the other side of the Iron Curtain was a futile endeavor. If he had attempted to do so during the socialist era, he would likely have been arrested.
A Vow Made Under Pressure
A decade after the end of communism in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's personal goal edged closer to achievement. Viewing the match from his humble abode in Svishtov and with his team losing, Marin swore an oath to himself: should his team mount a comeback, he would do anything to become known as that of the object of his devotion. Then, a miracle occurred.
Marin fulfils his dream of visiting Old Trafford.
The Long Legal Battle
A day later, Marin sought legal counsel to express his unusual request, thus starting a grueling process. The parent who inspired him, from whom he had inherited his love of United, was deceased, and the 36-year-old was caring for his parent, working all kinds of odd jobs, including as a construction worker on minimal earnings. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He rapidly evolved into the local celebrity, then was featured globally, but many seasons full of judicial disputes and discouraging rulings awaited him.
Copyright Hurdles and Partial Victories
Marin’s wish was denied early on for trademark concerns: 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 alter his given name to the city name but that he was prohibited from using United as his legal last name. “Yet my aim is to be named after a city in England, I want to wear the name of my cherished club,” Marin told the court. The battle persisted.
Companions in Adversity
When not in court, he was often looking after his cats. He had many animals in his outdoor space in Svishtov and loved them as much as the Manchester United. He christened them after United players: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the best-known felines in town. The one he loved most of Man U? The feline known as Beckham.
He was often seen in full club regalia.
Breakthroughs and Principles
Another victory was secured in court: he was permitted to include the club name as an recognized alias on his ID card. But this did not satisfy him. “My efforts will persist until my full name is Manchester United,” he promised. His narrative resulted in commercial propositions – a chance to have club products made using his identity – but despite his financial struggles, he rejected the opportunity because he did not want to profit from his beloved team. The Manchester United name was sacred to him.
Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts
A documentary followed in 2011. The production team turned Marin’s dream of seeing the iconic stadium and there he even encountered the Bulgarian striker, the forward then at the club at the time.
Permanently marked the United crest on his face at a later date as a objection to the court decisions and in his closing chapter it became more and more difficult for him to keep up the struggle. Work was limited and he suffered the death of his mother to the virus. But he managed to continue. Originally of Catholic faith, he was christened in an orthodox church under the name Manchester United Zdravkov Levidzhov. “At least God will know me with my chosen name,” he would frequently remark.
This Monday, 13 October, his life came to an end. Maybe at last Manchester United’s restless soul could achieve eternal tranquility.
