I Am Called Man Utd: This Superfan Who Struggled to Change His Legal Name
Pose the question to any Man United fan who is older regarding the importance of May 26th, 1999, and they will tell you that the night was life-altering. It was the evening when last-minute strikes from Teddy Sheringham and Solskjær sealed an incredible 2-1 comeback in the showpiece event against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. It was also, the existence of one loyal follower in Eastern Europe, who recently died at the 62 years old, took a new direction.
Aspirations Under Communism
The fan in question was originally called Marin Levidzhov in a small Danube town, a community with a tight-knit community. Growing up in communist Bulgaria with a passion for football, he aspired to changing his name to… his beloved club. However, to take the name of a organization from the other side of the Iron Curtain was a futile endeavor. If he had attempted to do so before the fall of the regime, he would undoubtedly have faced imprisonment.
A Promise Forged in Drama
Ten years after the political changes in Bulgaria – on the unforgettable final – Marin's unique aspiration edged closer to achievement. Watching the final from his simple residence in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin made a promise to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would spare no effort to change his name that of the team he adored. Then, the impossible happened.
Marin fulfils his dream of visiting Old Trafford.
A Protracted Court Struggle
A day later, Marin consulted an attorney to express his unusual request, thus starting a grueling process. Marin’s father, from whom he had learned to support the club, was deceased, and the man in his thirties was caring for his parent, taking on various types of work, including as a laborer on minimal earnings. He was barely getting by, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He soon became the talk of the town, then was featured globally, but 15 years full of court cases and discouraging rulings awaited him.
Trademark Issues and Limited Success
His request was denied early on for copyright reasons: he was not permitted to adopt the name of a trademark known around the globe. Then a presiding magistrate allowed a compromise, saying Marin could change his first name to Manchester but that he was prohibited from using United as his official surname. “But I don’t want to be identified with an urban area in Britain, I want to carry the title of my cherished club,” Marin told the court. The struggle continued.
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: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the best-known felines in town. The one he loved most of Man U? A kitty called Beckham.
He was often seen in full club regalia.
Advances and Ethics
Another victory was secured in court: he was allowed to add United as an legal alternative on his identification document. But this did not satisfy him. “I won’t stop until my full name is the club's title,” he declared. His tale attracted commercial propositions – a proposal to have club products produced under his new name – but despite his financial struggles, he turned down the offer because he was unwilling to gain financially from his adored institution. The club's identity was beyond commercial use.
Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes
A documentary followed in that year. The filmmakers fulfilled his wish of visiting Old Trafford and there he even met Dimitar Berbatov, the national team player on the team's roster at the time.
Permanently marked the United crest on his brow three years later as a objection to the court decisions and in his final years it became increasingly hard for him to keep up the struggle. Work was limited and he lost his mother to the pandemic. But he managed to continue. Originally of Catholic faith, 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 often stated.
This Monday, 13 October, his heart stopped beating. It is possible that the club's persistent fan could finally find peace.
