I Am Called MUFC: This Die-Hard Supporter Who Fought to Alter His Name
Pose the question to any Man United supporter of a certain age concerning the meaning of May 26th, 1999, and they will tell you that the occasion was life-altering. It was the moment when injury-time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Solskjær sealed an incredible late turnaround in the European Cup final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. It was also, the world of one loyal follower in Eastern Europe, who has died at the 62 years old, changed forever.
Hopes in a Bygone Era
This individual was given the name Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in Svishtov, a settlement with a modest number of residents. Being raised in communist Bulgaria with a love of football, he longed to changing his name to… his beloved club. Yet, to adopt the name of a organization from the capitalist west was a futile endeavor. If he had attempted to do so prior to the end of communism, he would undoubtedly have been arrested.
A Commitment Sealed by Fate
Ten years after the end of communism in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's unique aspiration came one step closer to achievement. Viewing the match from his humble abode in Svishtov and with his team losing, Marin vowed to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would do anything to change his name that of the object of his devotion. Then, the impossible happened.
Marin fulfils his dream of visiting Old Trafford.
A Protracted Court Struggle
The following morning, 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 long gone, and the man in his thirties was caring for his parent, working all kinds of odd jobs, including as a builder on minimal earnings. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his aspiration grew into a mania. He quickly turned into the local celebrity, then was featured globally, but many seasons full of legal battles and setbacks in litigation were to come.
Trademark Issues and Limited Success
His request was turned down at first for copyright reasons: he was barred from using the title of a internationally recognized entity. Then a presiding magistrate granted a limited approval, saying Marin could change his first name to the city name but that he was could not adopt United as his official surname. “However, I desire to be named after a city in Britain, I want to carry the title of my beloved team,” Marin told the court. The battle persisted.
A Life with Feline Friends
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 Manchester United. He gave each one a name after United players: from Rio to Rooney, they were the most famous cats in town. The one he loved most of Man U? A kitty called Beckham.
His attire consistently showed his allegiance.
Progress and Integrity
He achieved a further success in court: he was granted the right to append the club name as an legal alternative on his ID card. But this did not satisfy him. “My efforts will persist until my full name is Manchester United,” he declared. His narrative resulted in commercial propositions – a chance to have club products produced under his new name – but even with his monetary challenges, he declined the proposal because he did not want to profit from his favourite club. The team's title was inviolable.
Goals Achieved and Enduring Symbols
A film was made in that year. The filmmakers turned Marin’s dream of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even encountered his compatriot, the Bulgaria striker then at the club at the time.
Permanently marked the club badge on his brow subsequently as a objection to the judicial outcomes and in his final years it became ever tougher for him to continue his legal battle. Employment was hard to find and he suffered the death of his mother to the virus. But somehow, he found a way. Originally of Catholic faith, he got baptised in an orthodox church under the name Manchester United Zdravkov Levidzhov. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my chosen name,” he would frequently remark.
This Monday, 13 October, his life came to an end. Maybe at last Manchester United’s determined supporter could at last be at rest.
