I Go By Man Utd: The Superfan Who Fought to Alter His Identity
Ask any Manchester United supporter who is older about the meaning of May 26th, 1999, and they will tell you that the occasion left an indelible mark. It was the moment when dramatic late goals from Sheringham and Solskjær completed an unbelievable late turnaround in the showpiece event against the German giants at the famous Barcelona stadium. That same night, the life of one loyal follower in Bulgaria, who passed away at the 62 years old, took a new direction.
Aspirations Under Communism
The fan in question was born Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in Svishtov, a place with a population of 22,000. Living in the former Eastern Bloc with a devotion to football, he aspired to adopting a new name to… Manchester United. But, to adopt the name of a football club from the Western world was a futile endeavor. Had Marin tried to do so before the fall of the regime, he would undoubtedly have ended up in jail.
A Promise Forged in Drama
Many seasons after the political changes in Bulgaria – on the unforgettable final – Marin's personal goal edged closer to achievement. Tuning in from home from his humble abode in Svishtov and with United trailing, Marin made a promise to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would spare no effort to become known as that of the object of his devotion. Then, a miracle occurred.
Marin fulfils his dream of visiting Old Trafford.
Years of Judicial Challenges
A day later, Marin consulted an attorney to present his unique case, thus initiating a difficult fight. His dad, from whom he had gained his fandom, was long gone, and the 36-year-old was living with his mother, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a construction worker on minimal earnings. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He rapidly evolved into the talk of the town, then gained worldwide attention, but 15 years full of court cases and disheartening court decisions were to come.
Trademark Issues and Limited Success
His request was rejected initially 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 the city name but that he was prohibited from using United as his family name. “However, I desire to be identified with an urban area in Britain, I want to wear the name of my beloved team,” Marin told the court. The struggle continued.
Companions in Adversity
During breaks from litigation, he was often caring for his feline friends. He had many animals in his outdoor space in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the Manchester United. He gave each one a name after United players: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the celebrity pets in town. Which was the favourite cat of his close friends' nickname for him? One named after David Beckham.
Marin bedecked in United gear.
Breakthroughs and Principles
He achieved a further success in court: he was permitted to include United as an official nickname on his personal papers. But this did not satisfy him. “I will continue until my complete identity is Manchester United,” he promised. His narrative resulted in business offers – a proposal to have supporters' goods made using his identity – but even with his monetary challenges, he declined the proposal because he was unwilling to gain financially from his beloved team. The team's title was sacred to him.
Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts
His story was captured in 2011. The production team fulfilled his wish of visiting Old Trafford and there he even had the chance to see his compatriot, the forward then at the club at the time.
Marin tattooed the team emblem on his brow three years later as a demonstration against the legal rulings and in his closing chapter it became more and more difficult for him to persist with his fight. Job opportunities were scarce and he was bereaved to Covid-19. But somehow, he found a way. By birth a Catholic, he got baptised in an religious institution under the name his desired full name. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my true identity,” he used to say.
Earlier this week, his time ran out. Perhaps now the club's determined supporter could achieve eternal tranquility.