I Go By Manchester United: The Superfan Who Struggled to Alter His Legal Name
Pose the question to any Manchester United devotee of a certain age about the meaning of 26 May 1999, and they will tell you that the date left an indelible mark. It was the night when injury-time goals from Sheringham and Solskjær secured an unbelievable come-from-behind victory in the European Cup final against the German giants at the Camp Nou. It was also, the world 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 given the name Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a settlement with a modest number of residents. Growing up in communist Bulgaria with a love of football, he dreamed of legally altering his identity to… Manchester United. Yet, to claim the name of a football club from the Western world was mission impossible. Any effort to do so prior to the end of communism, he would almost certainly have faced imprisonment.
A Commitment Sealed by Fate
Ten years after the end of communism in Bulgaria – on the historic evening – Marin's idiosyncratic dream edged closer to reality. Watching the final from his modest home in Svishtov and with United trailing, Marin made a promise to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would spare no effort to legally adopt the name that of the team he adored. Then, the impossible happened.
He realized his ambition to see the Theatre of Dreams.
A Protracted Court Struggle
The next day, Marin sought legal counsel to state his extraordinary desire, thus starting a grueling process. His dad, from whom he had inherited his love of United, was no longer alive, and the 36-year-old was living with his mother, taking on various types of work, including as a construction worker on £15 a day. He was struggling financially, yet his aspiration grew into a mania. He rapidly evolved into the local celebrity, then gained worldwide attention, but 15 years full of judicial disputes and disheartening court decisions lay ahead.
Legal Obstacles and Small Wins
Marin’s wish was denied early on for copyright reasons: he could not change his name of a trademark known around the globe. Then a court official granted a limited approval, saying Marin could change his first name to Manchester but that he was not to use United as his legal last name. “However, I desire to be named after a city in the UK, I want to wear the name of my cherished club,” Marin told the court. The struggle continued.
His Beloved Cats
Outside of legal proceedings, he was often looking after his cats. He had plenty of them in his back yard in Svishtov and loved them as much as the Red Devils. He named them all after team stars: such as Vidic and others, they were the celebrity pets in town. Which was the favourite cat of Man U? The feline known as Beckham.
His attire consistently showed his allegiance.
Progress and Integrity
He achieved a further success in court: he was permitted to include the club name as an legal alternative on his ID card. But he remained dissatisfied. “My efforts will persist until my full name is Manchester United,” he promised. His tale attracted commercial propositions – a chance to have fan merchandise made using his identity – but even with his monetary challenges, he rejected the opportunity because he was unwilling to gain financially from his favourite club. The team's title was beyond commercial use.
Goals Achieved and Enduring Symbols
A film was made in 2011. The crew fulfilled his wish of visiting Old Trafford and there he even met his compatriot, the forward playing for United at the time.
Marin tattooed the team emblem on his face three years later as a objection to the court decisions and in his last few years it became ever tougher for him to keep up the struggle. Job opportunities were scarce and he suffered the death of his mother to the pandemic. But somehow, he found a way. Originally of Catholic faith, he underwent baptism in an religious institution under the name Manchester United Zdravkov Levidzhov. “At least God will know me with my chosen name,” he used to say.
On a recent Monday, his time ran out. Maybe at last Manchester United’s determined supporter could finally find peace.
