My Name Is MUFC: The Superfan Who Struggled to Change His Legal Name
Inquire of any United devotee from an earlier generation about the meaning of May 26th, 1999, and the answer will be that the night was life-altering. It was the evening when dramatic late goals from Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær sealed an stunning 2-1 comeback in the European Cup final against Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou. It was also, the world of one United fan in Bulgaria, who has died at the age of 62, changed forever.
A Dream Born in Communist Bulgaria
The fan in question was given the name Marin Levidzhov in a small Danube town, a settlement with a tight-knit community. Growing up in communist Bulgaria with a love of football, he longed to changing his name to… his beloved club. But, to claim the name of a sports team from the other side of the Iron Curtain was an unattainable goal. If he had attempted to do so prior to the end of communism, he would undoubtedly have ended up in jail.
A Promise Forged in Drama
Ten years after the political changes in Bulgaria – on the historic evening – Marin's unique aspiration edged closer to fulfillment. Watching the final from his modest home in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin vowed to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would go to any lengths to change his name that of the team he adored. Then, a miracle occurred.
A lifelong wish to walk the halls of the famous stadium came true.
The Long Legal Battle
A day later, Marin visited a lawyer to present his unique case, thus initiating a difficult fight. His dad, from whom he had learned to support the club, was no longer alive, and the 36-year-old was living with his mother, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a construction worker on £15 a day. He was barely getting by, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He rapidly evolved into the talk of the town, then gained worldwide attention, but many seasons full of court cases and disheartening court decisions lay ahead.
Legal Obstacles and Small Wins
His request was turned down at first for trademark concerns: he was not permitted to adopt the name of a world-famous brand. Then a local judge granted a limited approval, saying Marin could modify his forename to the city name but that he was could not adopt United as his official surname. “However, I desire to be associated with just a place in Britain, I want to wear the name of my favourite football club,” Marin told the court. The struggle continued.
His Beloved Cats
During breaks from litigation, he was often tending to his pets. He had a large number in his back yard in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the his team. He christened them after United players: such as Vidic and others, they were the celebrity pets in town. The one he loved most of his close friends' nickname for him? The feline known as Beckham.
His attire consistently showed his allegiance.
Progress and Integrity
Another victory was secured in court: he was allowed to add the club name as an legal alternative on his personal papers. But still he wasn’t happy. “I won’t stop until my complete identity is Manchester United,” he declared. His story soon led to financial opportunities – an offer to have club products branded with his legal name – but although he was in need, he turned down the offer because he refused to make money from his favourite club. The team's title was inviolable.
Goals Achieved and Enduring Symbols
His story was captured in 2011. The production team made his aspiration come true of visiting Old Trafford and there he even had the chance to see Dimitar Berbatov, the national team player on the team's roster at the time.
Permanently marked the club badge on his brow at a later date as a protest against the judicial outcomes and in his last few years it became ever tougher for him to continue his legal battle. Job opportunities were scarce and he lost his mother to the virus. But he managed to continue. Originally of Catholic faith, he got baptised in an Eastern Orthodox church under the name his desired full name. “At least God will know me with my chosen name,” he often stated.
This Monday, 13 October, his heart stopped beating. Perhaps now Manchester United’s persistent fan could achieve eternal tranquility.
