My Name Is Manchester United: The Superfan Who Struggled to Alter His Name
Pose the question to any Manchester United devotee from an earlier generation about the meaning of that fateful day in May 1999, and the answer will be that the night was life-altering. It was the evening when last-minute strikes from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær sealed an stunning late turnaround in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. That same night, the world of one loyal follower in Eastern Europe, who passed away at the 62 years old, was transformed.
Aspirations Under Communism
This individual was given the name Marin Levidzhov in his hometown, a community with a population of 22,000. Living in the former Eastern Bloc with a love of football, he longed to changing his name to… his beloved club. However, to claim the name of a organization from the other side of the Iron Curtain was mission impossible. If he had attempted to do so during the socialist era, he would undoubtedly have faced imprisonment.
A Vow Made Under Pressure
Many seasons after the political changes in Bulgaria – on the historic evening – Marin's idiosyncratic dream came one step closer to reality. Watching the final from his simple residence in Svishtov and with United trailing, Marin made a promise to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would do anything to change his name that of the team he adored. Then, against all odds, it transpired.
He realized his ambition to see the Theatre of Dreams.
The Long Legal Battle
A day later, Marin sought legal counsel to express his unusual request, thus starting a grueling process. Marin’s father, from whom he had gained his fandom, was long gone, and the man in his thirties was residing with his mom, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a construction worker on a meager daily wage. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He rapidly evolved into the subject of gossip, then gained worldwide attention, but many seasons full of legal battles and discouraging rulings were to come.
Legal Obstacles and Small Wins
His request was denied early on for trademark concerns: he was barred from using the title of a world-famous brand. 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 United as his official surname. “But I don’t want to be associated with just a place in the UK, I want to bear the identity of my beloved team,” Marin stated during proceedings. The struggle continued.
Companions in Adversity
Outside of legal proceedings, he was often tending to his pets. He had many animals in his back yard in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the Manchester United. He christened them after team stars: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the most famous cats in town. Who was his preferred pet of his close friends' nickname for him? The feline known as Beckham.
His attire consistently showed his allegiance.
Progress and Integrity
Marin managed another breakthrough in court: he was allowed to add United as an legal alternative on his personal papers. But this did not satisfy him. “I will continue until my entire name is the club's title,” he promised. His narrative resulted in business offers – an offer to have fan merchandise branded with his legal name – but even with his monetary challenges, he turned down the offer because he refused to make money from his beloved team. The Manchester United name was beyond commercial use.
Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes
A documentary followed in that year. The production team fulfilled his wish of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even encountered the Bulgarian striker, the Bulgaria striker then at the club at the time.
He inked the United crest on his forehead at a later date as a demonstration against the legal rulings and in his last few years it became ever tougher for him to keep up the struggle. Employment was hard to find and he lost his mother to Covid-19. But against the odds, he persevered. By birth a Catholic, he underwent baptism in an religious institution under the name Manchester United Zdravkov Levidzhov. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my chosen name,” he often stated.
This Monday, 13 October, his heart stopped beating. It is possible that the club's restless soul could achieve eternal tranquility.
