I Am Called MUFC: The Superfan Who Struggled to Change His Name
Inquire of any Man United fan of a certain age about the meaning of that fateful day in May 1999, and they will tell you that the occasion left an indelible mark. It was the evening when dramatic late goals from Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær completed an stunning 2-1 comeback in the Champions League final against the German giants at the famous Barcelona stadium. That same night, the life of one United fan in Bulgaria, who passed away at the 62 years old, was transformed.
Hopes in a Bygone Era
That supporter was born Marin Levidzhov in his hometown, a community with a tight-knit community. Growing up in the former Eastern Bloc with a devotion to football, he dreamed of legally altering his identity to… Manchester United. However, to claim the name of a organization from the Western world was a futile endeavor. Had Marin tried to do so before the fall of the regime, he would undoubtedly have ended up in jail.
A Vow Made Under Pressure
Many seasons after the fall of the regime in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's idiosyncratic dream edged closer to achievement. Watching the final from his simple residence in Svishtov and with United trailing, Marin vowed to himself: should his team mount a comeback, he would do anything to become known as that of the team he adored. Then, against all odds, it transpired.
A lifelong wish to walk the halls of the famous stadium came true.
Years of Judicial Challenges
The next day, Marin consulted an attorney to present his unique case, thus beginning a long, hard battle. His dad, from whom he had inherited his love of United, was long gone, and the 36-year-old was caring for his parent, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a laborer on minimal earnings. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He soon became the subject of gossip, then gained worldwide attention, but 15 years full of legal battles and disheartening court decisions were to come.
Copyright Hurdles and Partial Victories
The application was denied early on for intellectual property issues: he could not change his name of a internationally recognized entity. Then a court official granted a limited approval, saying Marin could modify his forename to the city name but that he was not to use the second part as his official surname. “However, I desire to be identified with an urban area in the UK, I want to carry the title of my beloved team,” Marin told the court. His fight went on.
His Beloved Cats
Outside of legal proceedings, he was often tending to his pets. He had a large number in his garden in Svishtov and loved them as much as the his team. He named them all after team stars: from Rio to Rooney, they were the celebrity pets in town. Which was the favourite cat of Man U? One named after David Beckham.
He was often seen in full club regalia.
Progress and Integrity
Marin managed another breakthrough in court: he was granted the right to append United as an official nickname on his identification document. But this did not satisfy him. “I won’t stop until my complete identity is Manchester United,” he promised. His narrative resulted in commercial propositions – a chance to have supporters' goods branded with his legal name – but although he was in need, he declined the proposal because he did not want to profit from his adored institution. The club's identity was beyond commercial use.
Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts
A film was made in that year. The production team made his aspiration come true of visiting Old Trafford and there he even had the chance to see the Bulgarian striker, the forward then at the club at the time.
Permanently marked the United crest on his forehead three years later as a demonstration against the legal rulings and in his final years it became ever tougher for him to persist with his fight. Job opportunities were scarce and he lost his mother to Covid-19. But against the odds, he persevered. Originally of Catholic faith, he was christened in an Eastern Orthodox church under the name the identity he sought. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my chosen name,” he would frequently remark.
Earlier this week, his time ran out. Maybe at last Manchester United’s determined supporter could finally find peace.