🔗 Share this article My Name Is Man Utd: The Die-Hard Supporter Who Battled to Alter His Name Ask any Manchester United supporter of a certain age about the significance of that fateful day in May 1999, and they will tell you that the night changed them forever. It was the night when last-minute strikes from Teddy Sheringham and Solskjær sealed an incredible late turnaround in the showpiece event against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. It was also, the life of one United fan in Bulgaria, who passed away at the age of 62, was transformed. A Dream Born in Communist Bulgaria This individual was born Marin Levidzhov in a small Danube town, a community with a population of 22,000. Living in communist Bulgaria with a devotion to football, he longed to adopting a new name to… his beloved club. Yet, to claim the name of a football club from the capitalist west was mission impossible. If he had attempted to do so during the socialist era, he would likely have faced imprisonment. A Vow Made Under Pressure Ten years after the end of communism in Bulgaria – on the historic evening – Marin's unique aspiration edged closer to fulfillment. Tuning in from home from his simple residence in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin vowed to himself: if United somehow turned the game around, he would do anything to change his name that of the team he adored. Then, the impossible happened. He realized his ambition to see the Theatre of Dreams. Years of Judicial Challenges The following morning, Marin visited a lawyer to express his unusual request, thus starting a grueling process. The parent who inspired him, 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 builder on a meager daily wage. He was barely getting by, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He rapidly evolved into the local celebrity, then became an international sensation, but 15 years full of judicial disputes and disheartening court decisions lay ahead. Trademark Issues and Limited Success His request was denied early on for trademark concerns: he could not change his name of a trademark known around the globe. Then a presiding magistrate ruled partially in his favour, saying Marin could modify his forename to the city name but that he was could not adopt United as his legal last name. “Yet my aim is to be named after a city in England, I want to bear the identity of my favourite football club,” Marin told the court. The struggle continued. Companions in Adversity Outside of legal proceedings, he was often looking after his cats. He had many animals in his outdoor space in Svishtov and held them in the same esteem as the his team. He gave each one a name after team stars: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the best-known felines 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 Another victory was secured in court: he was permitted to include United as an recognized alias on his personal papers. But he remained dissatisfied. “I will continue until my entire name is Manchester United,” he declared. His story soon led to commercial propositions – a chance to have fan merchandise branded with his legal name – but even with his monetary challenges, he rejected the opportunity because he refused to make money from his adored institution. The Manchester United name was beyond commercial use. Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes A film was made in that year. The filmmakers made his aspiration come true of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even met Dimitar Berbatov, the Bulgaria striker playing for United at the time. Marin tattooed the club badge on his face at a later date as a protest against the judicial outcomes and in his closing chapter it became increasingly hard for him to keep up the struggle. Job opportunities were scarce and he suffered the death of his mother to Covid-19. But he managed to continue. Born as a Catholic, he was christened in an religious institution under the name his desired full name. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my real name,” he used to say. Earlier this week, his time ran out. It is possible that the club's restless soul could finally find peace.