My Name Is Manchester United: The Die-Hard Supporter Who Fought to Change His Name
Pose the question to any Man United fan of a certain age concerning the meaning of 26 May 1999, and they'll recount that the night changed them forever. It was the moment when last-minute strikes from Teddy Sheringham and Solskjær completed an unbelievable 2-1 comeback in the European Cup final against the German giants at the famous Barcelona stadium. Simultaneously, the existence of one devoted supporter in Eastern Europe, who recently died at the age of 62, changed forever.
A Dream Born in Communist Bulgaria
This individual was born Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a settlement with a population of 22,000. Growing up in communist Bulgaria with a love of football, he dreamed of changing his name to… the Red Devils. But, to claim the name of a organization from the Western world was an unattainable goal. Any effort to do so prior to the end of communism, he would undoubtedly have faced imprisonment.
A Vow Made Under Pressure
Ten years after the fall of the regime in Bulgaria – on the unforgettable final – Marin's idiosyncratic dream edged closer to achievement. Viewing the match from his humble abode in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin vowed to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would do anything to become known as that of the team he adored. Then, a miracle occurred.
He realized his ambition to see the Theatre of Dreams.
Years of Judicial Challenges
The next day, Marin consulted an attorney to present his unique case, thus starting a grueling process. His dad, from whom he had gained his fandom, was no longer alive, and the 36-year-old was living with his mother, taking on various types of work, including as a laborer on £15 a day. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his dream became an obsession. He rapidly evolved into the subject of gossip, then was featured globally, but many seasons full of court cases and disheartening court decisions lay ahead.
Legal Obstacles and Small Wins
The application was turned down at first for copyright reasons: he was barred from using the title of a trademark known around the globe. Then a court official ruled partially in his favour, saying Marin could change his first name to Manchester but that he was could not adopt the second part as his family name. “But I don’t want to be associated with just a place in the UK, I want to carry the title of my favourite football club,” Marin told the court. His fight went on.
A Life with Feline Friends
When not in court, he was often caring for his feline friends. He had plenty of them in his back yard in Svishtov and loved them as much as the Manchester United. He gave each one a name after club legends: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the most famous cats in town. The one he loved most of his close friends' nickname for him? A kitty called Beckham.
His attire consistently showed his allegiance.
Advances and Ethics
Another victory was secured in court: he was permitted to include the club name as an recognized alias on his ID card. But he remained dissatisfied. “I won’t stop until my full name is as I desire,” he declared. His narrative resulted in financial opportunities – a chance to have supporters' goods branded with his legal name – but although he was in need, he turned down the offer because he was unwilling to gain financially from his beloved team. The club's identity was inviolable.
Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes
A documentary followed in 2011. The filmmakers made his aspiration come true of seeing the iconic stadium and there he even met his compatriot, the national team player playing for United at the time.
Marin tattooed the United crest on his brow at a later date as a protest against the court decisions and in his final years it became ever tougher for him to persist with his fight. Employment was hard to find and he was bereaved to the pandemic. But somehow, he found a way. By birth a Catholic, he got baptised 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.
This Monday, 13 October, his heart stopped beating. It is possible that the club's restless soul could finally find peace.
