🔗 Share this article My Name Is Manchester United: The Superfan Who Fought to Change His Identity Pose the question to any Man United devotee who is older about the importance of that fateful day in May 1999, and they'll recount that the date changed them forever. It was the moment when last-minute strikes from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær sealed an unbelievable come-from-behind victory in the showpiece event against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. Simultaneously, the life of one devoted supporter in Eastern Europe, who recently died at the 62 years old, was transformed. Aspirations Under Communism This individual was originally called Marin Levidzhov in his hometown, a community with a tight-knit community. Growing up in a socialist state with a love of football, he dreamed of legally altering his identity to… Manchester United. But, to adopt the name of a football club from the other side of the Iron Curtain was mission impossible. Had Marin tried to do so prior to the end of communism, he would undoubtedly have been arrested. A Vow Made Under Pressure Many seasons after the fall of the regime in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's personal goal moved nearer to fulfillment. Tuning in from home from his humble abode in Svishtov and with his team losing, Marin made a promise to himself: should his team mount a comeback, he would do anything to become known as that of the team he adored. Then, a miracle occurred. A lifelong wish to walk the halls of the famous stadium came true. A Protracted Court Struggle The following morning, Marin sought legal counsel to present his unique case, thus beginning a long, hard battle. Marin’s father, from whom he had gained his fandom, was no longer alive, and the 36-year-old was residing with his mom, working all kinds of odd jobs, including as a construction worker on £15 a day. He was barely getting by, yet his aspiration grew into a mania. He soon became the local celebrity, then was featured globally, but a decade and a half full of court cases and setbacks in litigation lay ahead. Trademark Issues and Limited Success Marin’s wish was turned down at first for copyright reasons: he was barred from using the title of a trademark known around the globe. Then a court official granted a limited approval, saying Marin could alter his given name to the city name but that he was could not adopt United as his official surname. “But I don’t want to be named after a city in England, I want to carry the title of my favourite football club,” Marin informed the judge. The battle persisted. Companions in Adversity When not in court, he was often tending to his pets. He had plenty of them in his outdoor space in Svishtov and loved them as much as the Red Devils. He named them all after team stars: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the celebrity pets in town. The one he loved most of his close friends' nickname for him? One named after David Beckham. He was often seen in full club regalia. Advances and Ethics Marin managed another breakthrough in court: he was allowed to add the club name as an official nickname on his identification document. But still he wasn’t happy. “I won’t stop until my full name is Manchester United,” he promised. His narrative resulted in financial opportunities – a chance to have supporters' goods made using his identity – but although he was in need, he turned down the offer because he was unwilling to gain financially from his adored institution. The Manchester United name was sacred to him. Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts A documentary followed in 2011. The production team fulfilled his wish of visiting Old Trafford and there he even had the chance to see his compatriot, the forward playing for United at the time. He inked the team emblem on his brow subsequently as a objection to the legal rulings and in his closing chapter it became more and more difficult for him to keep up the struggle. Job opportunities were scarce and he lost his mother to the virus. But he managed to continue. Born as a Catholic, he was christened in an Eastern Orthodox church under the name Manchester United Zdravkov Levidzhov. “In the eyes of the divine, I am with my real name,” he used to say. This Monday, 13 October, his life came to an end. It is possible that the club's determined supporter could achieve eternal tranquility.