I Am Called MUFC: The Die-Hard Supporter Who Struggled to Change His Identity
Inquire of any United devotee who is older concerning the importance of that fateful day in May 1999, and they'll recount that the occasion changed them forever. It was the moment when injury-time goals from Sheringham and Solskjær secured an unbelievable come-from-behind victory in the European Cup final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. That same night, the existence of one loyal follower in Bulgaria, who has died at the 62 years old, took a new direction.
A Dream Born in Communist Bulgaria
That supporter was given the name Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a settlement with a tight-knit community. Growing up in a socialist state with a love of football, he dreamed of adopting a new name to… Manchester United. Yet, to take the name of a organization from the other side of the Iron Curtain was an unattainable goal. Any effort 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 the historic evening – Marin's personal goal edged closer to fulfillment. Viewing the match from his simple residence in Svishtov and with his team losing, Marin vowed to himself: should his team mount a comeback, he would go to any lengths 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
The next day, Marin consulted an attorney to express his unusual request, thus starting a grueling process. Marin’s father, from whom he had learned to support the club, was no longer alive, and the 36-year-old was caring for his parent, taking on various types of work, including as a construction worker on minimal earnings. He was barely getting by, yet his dream became an obsession. He soon became the talk of the town, then was featured globally, but 15 years full of legal battles and disheartening court decisions lay ahead.
Legal Obstacles and Small Wins
His request was rejected initially for copyright reasons: he could not change his name of a world-famous brand. Then a presiding magistrate ruled partially in his favour, saying Marin could alter his given name to Manchester but that he was prohibited from using United as his family name. “But I don’t want to be associated with just a place in Britain, I want to wear the name of my beloved team,” Marin informed the judge. The struggle continued.
A Life with Feline Friends
During breaks from litigation, he was often looking after his cats. He had plenty of them in his back yard in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the Red Devils. He named them all after United players: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the celebrity pets in town. The one he loved most of the name they used? One named after David Beckham.
His attire consistently showed his allegiance.
Progress and Integrity
Another victory was secured in court: he was allowed to add the club name as an legal alternative on his identification document. But this did not satisfy him. “I will continue until my complete identity is as I desire,” he promised. His story soon led to commercial propositions – a chance to have supporters' goods made using his identity – but even with his monetary challenges, he turned down the offer because he refused to make money from his favourite club. The club's identity was inviolable.
Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts
A film was made in that year. The crew fulfilled his wish of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even met the Bulgarian striker, the national team player on the team's roster at the time.
Permanently marked the team emblem on his brow three years later as a objection to the judicial outcomes and in his closing chapter it became more and more difficult for him to keep up the struggle. Work was limited and he was bereaved to the virus. But somehow, he found a way. Originally of Catholic faith, he underwent baptism in an orthodox church under the name his desired full name. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my chosen name,” he often stated.
Earlier this week, his heart stopped beating. Perhaps now Manchester United’s persistent fan could achieve eternal tranquility.