I Am Called MUFC: This Die-Hard Supporter Who Struggled to Change His Name

Pose the question to any Man United fan of a certain age regarding the meaning of that fateful day in May 1999, and they'll recount that the date was life-altering. It was the moment when injury-time goals from Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær completed an unbelievable late turnaround in the European Cup final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. Simultaneously, the world of one United fan in Eastern Europe, who passed away at the 62 years old, changed forever.

Hopes in a Bygone Era

This individual was originally called Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in his hometown, a settlement with a tight-knit community. Being raised in a socialist state with a love of football, he longed to legally altering his identity to… Manchester United. Yet, to claim the name of a football club from the other side of the Iron Curtain was a futile endeavor. Had Marin tried to do so during the socialist era, he would likely have faced imprisonment.

A Vow Made Under Pressure

Ten years after the political changes in Bulgaria – on the historic evening – Marin's unique aspiration moved nearer to fulfillment. Watching the final from his humble abode in Svishtov and with his team losing, Marin vowed to himself: should his team mount a comeback, he would do anything to legally adopt the name that of the team he adored. Then, against all odds, it transpired.

He realized his ambition to see the Theatre of Dreams.

Years of Judicial Challenges

A day later, Marin sought legal counsel to present his unique case, thus initiating a difficult fight. Marin’s father, from whom he had inherited his love of United, was no longer alive, and the 36-year-old was caring for his parent, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a laborer on minimal earnings. He was barely getting by, yet his aspiration grew into a mania. He quickly turned into the local celebrity, then gained worldwide attention, but many seasons full of court cases and disheartening court decisions were to come.

Legal Obstacles and Small Wins

The application was turned down at first for intellectual property issues: he was barred from using the title of a trademark known around the globe. Then a local judge allowed a compromise, saying Marin could modify his forename to Manchester but that he was not to use the second part as his legal last name. “Yet my aim is to be associated with just a place in England, I want to bear the identity of my favourite football club,” Marin stated during proceedings. The battle persisted.

His Beloved Cats

During breaks from litigation, he was often tending to his pets. He had plenty of them in his outdoor space in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the Red Devils. He gave each one a name after United players: from Rio to Rooney, they were the celebrity pets in town. Who was his preferred pet of his close friends' nickname for him? The feline known as Beckham.

Marin bedecked in United gear.

Breakthroughs and Principles

Another victory was secured in court: he was granted the right to append United as an official nickname on his ID card. But this did not satisfy him. “I will continue until my entire name is Manchester United,” he vowed. His narrative resulted in financial opportunities – a proposal to have fan merchandise made using his identity – but despite his financial struggles, he rejected the opportunity because he did not want to profit from his beloved team. The team's title was inviolable.

Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes

A documentary followed in 2011. The production team turned Marin’s dream of seeing the iconic stadium and there he even met the Bulgarian striker, the national team player playing for United at the time.

He inked the United crest on his face at a later date as a objection to the judicial outcomes and in his last few years it became more and more difficult 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. By birth a Catholic, he was christened 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.

Earlier this week, his time ran out. Perhaps now Manchester United’s restless soul could at last be at rest.