I Am Called Manchester United: The Superfan Who Struggled to Change His Identity
Inquire of any Manchester United supporter from an earlier generation regarding the importance of that fateful day in May 1999, and they will tell you that the night left an indelible mark. It was the night when injury-time goals from Sheringham and Solskjær secured an unbelievable 2-1 comeback in the European Cup final against the German giants at the famous Barcelona stadium. Simultaneously, the life of one United fan in Eastern Europe, who recently died at the age of 62, took a new direction.
Hopes in a Bygone Era
That supporter was given the name Marin Levidzhov in his hometown, a place with a population of 22,000. Being raised in the former Eastern Bloc with a passion for football, he dreamed of legally altering his identity to… his beloved club. However, to adopt the name of a football club from the Western world was mission impossible. If he had attempted to do so before the fall of the regime, he would likely have been arrested.
A Commitment Sealed by Fate
Ten years after the end of communism in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's personal goal came one step closer to achievement. Watching the final 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 go to any lengths to change his name that of the object of his devotion. Then, against all odds, it transpired.
Marin fulfils his dream of visiting Old Trafford.
The Long Legal Battle
A day later, Marin consulted an attorney to present his unique case, thus initiating a difficult fight. His dad, from whom he had inherited his love of United, was long gone, and the man in his thirties was living with his mother, taking on various types of work, including as a construction worker on £15 a day. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his dream became an obsession. He soon became the subject of gossip, then became an international sensation, but 15 years full of judicial disputes and disheartening court decisions were to come.
Copyright Hurdles and Partial Victories
His request was rejected initially for intellectual property issues: he was barred from using the title of a trademark known around the globe. Then a presiding magistrate granted a limited approval, saying Marin could modify his forename to Manchester but that he was could not adopt United as his family name. “Yet my aim is to be identified with an urban area in Britain, I want to carry the title of my favourite football club,” Marin informed the judge. The struggle continued.
Companions in Adversity
Outside of legal proceedings, he was often caring for his feline friends. He had many animals in his garden in Svishtov and held them in the same esteem as the Manchester United. He christened them after team stars: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the most famous cats in town. Which was the favourite cat of his close friends' nickname for him? One named after David 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 legal alternative on his personal papers. But this did not satisfy him. “I will continue until my full name is the club's title,” he vowed. His story soon led to commercial propositions – a chance to have club products branded with his legal name – but even with his monetary challenges, he rejected the opportunity because he did not want to profit from his favourite club. The club's identity was inviolable.
Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes
A film was made in that year. The crew fulfilled his wish of seeing the iconic stadium and there he even encountered his compatriot, the Bulgaria striker playing for United at the time.
He inked the United crest on his forehead three years later as a demonstration against the judicial outcomes and in his closing chapter it became increasingly hard for him to continue his legal battle. Job opportunities were scarce and he was bereaved to Covid-19. But somehow, he found a way. Born as a Catholic, he was christened in an religious institution under the name the identity he sought. “At least God will know me with my true identity,” he often stated.
This Monday, 13 October, his time ran out. Maybe at last Manchester United’s persistent fan could achieve eternal tranquility.
