I Go By MUFC: This Superfan Who Fought to Alter His Identity
Pose the question to any Manchester United fan from an earlier generation concerning the meaning of that fateful day in May 1999, and they'll recount that the night was life-altering. It was the evening when last-minute strikes from Teddy Sheringham and Solskjær secured an unbelievable late turnaround in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. That same night, the world of one loyal follower in Bulgaria, who recently died at the 62 years old, changed forever.
Hopes in a Bygone Era
This individual was born Marin Levidzhov in a small Danube town, a place with a population of 22,000. Growing up in the former Eastern Bloc with a passion for football, he longed to legally altering his identity to… his beloved club. Yet, to claim the name of a football club from the Western world was an unattainable goal. Had Marin tried to do so before the fall of the regime, he would likely have been arrested.
A Vow Made Under Pressure
Ten years after the fall of the regime in Bulgaria – on the historic evening – Marin's idiosyncratic dream moved nearer to achievement. Viewing the match from his simple residence in Svishtov and with United trailing, Marin made a promise to himself: should his team mount a comeback, he would do anything to legally adopt the name that of the team he adored. Then, the impossible happened.
Marin fulfils his dream of visiting Old Trafford.
The Long Legal Battle
The next day, Marin consulted an attorney to present his unique case, thus beginning a long, hard battle. His dad, from whom he had gained his fandom, was no longer alive, and the man in his thirties was living with his mother, taking on various types of work, including as a laborer on £15 a day. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He soon became the talk of the town, then gained worldwide attention, but 15 years full of legal battles and discouraging rulings lay ahead.
Legal Obstacles and Small Wins
The application was turned down at first for trademark concerns: he was barred from using the title of a world-famous brand. Then a court official granted a limited approval, saying Marin could alter his given name to the city name but that he was not to use the second part as his family name. “However, I desire to be identified with an urban area in the UK, I want to bear the identity of my cherished club,” Marin told the court. The struggle continued.
A Life with Feline Friends
Outside of legal proceedings, he was often looking after his cats. He had many animals in his back yard in Svishtov and loved them as much as the Manchester United. He gave each one a name after team stars: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the most famous cats 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.
Progress and Integrity
Another victory was secured in court: he was allowed to add United as an recognized alias on his ID card. But this did not satisfy him. “I won’t stop until my full name is the club's title,” he declared. His story soon led to business offers – a chance to have fan merchandise branded with his legal name – but although he was in need, he turned down the offer because he was unwilling to gain financially from his beloved team. The club's identity was sacred to him.
Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts
A film was made in that year. The filmmakers made his aspiration come true of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even encountered his compatriot, the national team player playing for United at the time.
Marin tattooed the United crest on his forehead three years later as a protest against the court decisions and in his final years it became increasingly hard for him to keep up the struggle. Employment was hard to find and he lost his mother to Covid-19. But somehow, he found a way. Born as a Catholic, he was christened in an religious institution under the name his desired full name. “In the eyes of the divine, I am with my chosen name,” he used to say.
Earlier this week, his time ran out. It is possible that Manchester United’s persistent fan could at last be at rest.
