I Am Called Man Utd: The Superfan Who Battled to Change His Legal Name
Ask any Man United supporter from an earlier generation about the significance of that fateful day in May 1999, and the answer will be that the night changed them forever. It was the night when last-minute strikes from Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær secured an unbelievable late turnaround in the European Cup final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. That same night, the life of one United fan in Bulgaria, who recently died at the 62 years old, took a new direction.
Hopes in a Bygone Era
This individual was born Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a place with a modest number of residents. Living in a socialist state with a love of football, he dreamed of legally altering his identity to… his beloved club. But, to claim the name of a football club from the other side of the Iron Curtain was an unattainable goal. Any effort to do so before the fall of the regime, he would likely have faced imprisonment.
A Commitment Sealed by Fate
Ten years after the end of communism in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's unique aspiration edged closer to fulfillment. Watching the final from his humble abode in Svishtov and with United trailing, Marin swore an oath to himself: should his team mount a comeback, he would go to any lengths to become known as that of the team he adored. Then, the impossible happened.
A lifelong wish to walk the halls of the famous stadium came true.
The Long Legal Battle
The next day, Marin visited a lawyer to present his unique case, thus starting a grueling process. The parent who inspired him, from whom he had inherited his love of United, was long gone, and the 36-year-old was caring for his parent, working all kinds of odd jobs, including as a laborer on minimal earnings. He was barely getting by, yet his aspiration grew into a mania. He quickly turned into the subject of gossip, then gained worldwide attention, but many seasons full of legal battles and disheartening court decisions awaited him.
Legal Obstacles and Small Wins
The application was denied early on for intellectual property issues: he was barred from using the title of a trademark known around the globe. Then a presiding magistrate ruled partially in his favour, saying Marin could modify his forename to the city name but that he was not to use the second part as his official surname. “However, I desire to be identified with an urban area in Britain, I want to wear the name of my cherished club,” Marin told the court. The struggle continued.
His Beloved Cats
When not in court, he was often looking after his cats. He had a large number in his back yard in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the his team. He gave each one a name after team stars: such as Vidic and others, they were the celebrity pets in town. The one he loved most of the name they used? One named after David Beckham.
He was often seen in full club regalia.
Advances and Ethics
He achieved a further success in court: he was granted the right to append United as an official nickname on his personal papers. But this did not satisfy him. “My efforts will persist until my complete identity is as I desire,” he vowed. His story soon led to business offers – a chance to have club products branded with his legal name – but even with his monetary challenges, he turned down the offer because he did not want to profit from his favourite club. The Manchester United name was inviolable.
Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts
A film was made in that year. The filmmakers fulfilled his wish of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even encountered his compatriot, the forward then at the club at the time.
He inked the team emblem on his brow subsequently as a objection to the court decisions and in his closing chapter it became ever tougher for him to persist with his fight. Work was limited and he suffered the death of his mother to Covid-19. But against the odds, he persevered. Born as a Catholic, he underwent baptism in an Eastern Orthodox church under the name the identity he sought. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my real name,” he used to say.
Earlier this week, his time ran out. It is possible that Manchester United’s restless soul could achieve eternal tranquility.
