My Name Is MUFC: The Superfan Who Battled to Change His Identity
Ask any Manchester United fan from an earlier generation about the meaning of May 26th, 1999, and they'll recount that the night was life-altering. It was the moment when injury-time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Solskjær secured an stunning late turnaround in the showpiece event against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. It was also, the life of one devoted supporter in Bulgaria, who passed away at the age of 62, was transformed.
Hopes in a Bygone Era
This individual was originally called Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in Svishtov, a place with a tight-knit community. Growing up in communist Bulgaria with a devotion to football, he aspired to adopting a new name to… Manchester United. Yet, to adopt the name of a sports team from the capitalist west was a futile endeavor. Had Marin tried to do so before the fall of the regime, he would likely have been arrested.
A Commitment Sealed by Fate
Ten years after the fall of the regime in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's unique aspiration edged closer to achievement. Watching the final from his simple residence in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin swore an oath to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would spare no effort to change his name that of the club he loved. Then, the impossible happened.
A lifelong wish to walk the halls of the famous stadium came true.
The Long Legal Battle
A day later, 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, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a construction worker on a meager daily wage. He was barely getting by, yet his aspiration grew into a mania. He rapidly evolved into the talk of the town, then gained worldwide attention, but 15 years full of court cases and disheartening court decisions were to come.
Copyright Hurdles and Partial Victories
The application was turned down at first for intellectual property issues: he was not permitted to adopt the name of a trademark known around the globe. Then a local judge allowed a compromise, saying Marin could change his first name to the city name but that he was not to use the second part as his legal last name. “However, I desire to be associated with just a place in the UK, I want to wear the name of my favourite football club,” Marin stated during proceedings. The battle persisted.
Companions in Adversity
During breaks from litigation, he was often looking after his cats. He had a large number in his garden in Svishtov and loved them as much as the his team. He christened them after United players: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the celebrity pets in town. The one he loved most of his close friends' nickname for him? The feline known as Beckham.
His attire consistently showed his allegiance.
Breakthroughs and Principles
He achieved a further success in court: he was permitted to include the club name as an legal alternative on his ID card. But he remained dissatisfied. “My efforts will persist until my entire name is as I desire,” he vowed. His tale attracted financial opportunities – a chance to have fan merchandise branded with his legal name – but even with his monetary challenges, he declined the proposal because he did not want to profit from his favourite club. The Manchester United name was beyond commercial use.
Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts
His story was captured in that year. The production team made his aspiration come true of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even met his compatriot, the Bulgaria striker playing for United at the time.
He inked the team emblem on his forehead at a later date as a protest against the court decisions and in his closing chapter it became increasingly hard for him to continue his legal battle. Work was limited and he lost his mother to the virus. But somehow, he found a way. Born as a Catholic, he got baptised in an religious institution under the name the identity he sought. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my real name,” he often stated.
On a recent Monday, his time ran out. It is possible that Manchester United’s determined supporter could finally find peace.
