🔗 Share this article

Inquire of any Manchester United fan from an earlier generation about the meaning of May 26th, 1999, and they will tell you that the occasion left an indelible mark. It was the evening when dramatic late goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær sealed an incredible come-from-behind victory in the European Cup final against the German giants at the famous Barcelona stadium. That same night, the world of one devoted supporter in Bulgaria, who has died at the 62 years old, was transformed.

Aspirations Under Communism

That supporter was given the name Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in his hometown, a community with a tight-knit community. Living in communist Bulgaria with a love of football, he dreamed of changing his name to… Manchester United. Yet, to adopt the name of a football club from the Western world was an unattainable goal. If he had attempted to do so during the socialist era, he would likely have been arrested.

A Vow Made Under Pressure

A decade after the end of communism in Bulgaria – on the historic evening – Marin's unique aspiration moved nearer to achievement. Viewing the match from his humble abode in Svishtov and with his team losing, Marin vowed to himself: if United somehow turned the game around, he would go to any lengths to change his name that of the club he loved. Then, a miracle occurred.

A lifelong wish to walk the halls of the famous stadium came true.

A Protracted Court Struggle

The next day, Marin sought legal counsel to state his extraordinary desire, thus starting a grueling process. The parent who inspired him, from whom he had gained his fandom, was no longer alive, and the man in his thirties was residing with his mom, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a construction worker on minimal earnings. He was struggling financially, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He quickly turned into the talk of the town, then was featured globally, but 15 years full of judicial disputes and discouraging rulings lay ahead.

Trademark Issues and Limited Success

The application was turned down at first for trademark concerns: he could not change his name of a trademark known around the globe. Then a court official granted a limited approval, saying Marin could modify his forename to the city name but that he was could not adopt United as his official surname. “But I don’t want to be identified with an urban area in England, I want to wear the name of my beloved team,” Marin stated during proceedings. The battle persisted.

His Beloved Cats

Outside of legal proceedings, he was often looking after his cats. He had many animals in his back yard in Svishtov and held them in the same esteem as the Red Devils. He named them all after club legends: from Rio to Rooney, they were the best-known felines in town. Which was the favourite cat of Man U? One named after David Beckham.

His attire consistently showed his allegiance.

Advances and Ethics

Marin managed another breakthrough in court: he was allowed to add United as an legal alternative on his personal papers. But he remained dissatisfied. “I will continue until my complete identity is Manchester United,” he promised. His story soon led to business offers – an offer to have club products branded with his legal name – but even with his monetary challenges, he rejected the opportunity because he was unwilling to gain financially from his adored institution. The club's identity was inviolable.

Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts

His story was captured in that year. The filmmakers made his aspiration come true of seeing the iconic stadium and there he even met his compatriot, the national team player on the team's roster at the time.

Marin tattooed the United crest on his face subsequently as a demonstration against the judicial outcomes and in his final years it became increasingly hard for him to persist with his fight. Work was limited and he suffered the death of his mother to the virus. But he managed to continue. Born as a Catholic, he got baptised in an religious institution under the name Manchester United Zdravkov Levidzhov. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my real name,” he used to say.

This Monday, 13 October, his time ran out. It is possible that the club's restless soul could finally find peace.