I Am Called Man Utd: The Superfan Who Fought to Change His Name

Inquire of any United fan who is older about the significance of May 26th, 1999, and they'll recount that the occasion was life-altering. It was the night when dramatic late goals from Teddy Sheringham and Solskjær secured an incredible late turnaround in the European Cup final against Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou. Simultaneously, the world of one devoted supporter in Eastern Europe, who passed away at the 62 years old, changed forever.

Hopes in a Bygone Era

This individual was given the name Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a place with a population of 22,000. Growing up in a socialist state with a devotion to football, he longed to changing his name to… the Red Devils. But, to take the name of a organization from the Western world was an unattainable goal. Had Marin tried to do so prior to the end of communism, he would undoubtedly have faced imprisonment.

A Promise Forged in Drama

Many seasons after the end of communism in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's idiosyncratic dream moved nearer to achievement. Viewing the match from his modest home in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin made a promise to himself: if United somehow turned the game around, he would do anything to change his name that of the team he adored. Then, the impossible happened.

Marin fulfils his dream of visiting Old Trafford.

The Long Legal Battle

The following morning, Marin sought legal counsel to present his unique case, thus starting a grueling process. Marin’s father, from whom he had learned to support the club, was long gone, and the 36-year-old was living with his mother, taking on various types of work, including as a construction worker on minimal earnings. He was struggling financially, yet his aspiration grew into a mania. He quickly turned into the subject of gossip, then became an international sensation, but a decade and a half full of judicial disputes and disheartening court decisions lay ahead.

Copyright Hurdles and Partial Victories

Marin’s wish was rejected initially for intellectual property issues: he was barred from using the title of a world-famous brand. Then a court official granted a limited approval, saying Marin could change his first name to the city name but that he was not to use United as his official surname. “However, I desire to be named after a city in Britain, I want to bear the identity of my cherished club,” Marin told the court. The struggle continued.

A Life with Feline Friends

When not in court, he was often looking after his cats. He had plenty of them in his back yard in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the his team. He christened them after team stars: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the best-known felines in town. The one he loved most of his close friends' nickname for him? The feline known as Beckham.

He was often seen in full club regalia.

Breakthroughs and Principles

Marin managed another breakthrough in court: he was granted the right to append the club name as an recognized alias on his identification document. But he remained dissatisfied. “I will continue until my full name is Manchester United,” he declared. His tale attracted business offers – a proposal to have supporters' goods produced under his new name – but although he was in need, he turned down the offer because he was unwilling to gain financially from his favourite club. The Manchester United name was inviolable.

Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes

A film was made in that year. The filmmakers turned Marin’s dream of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even encountered Dimitar Berbatov, the forward then at the club at the time.

Marin tattooed the United crest on his face three years later as a demonstration against the court decisions and in his final years it became ever tougher 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 was christened in an orthodox church under the name his desired full name. “At least God will know me with my chosen name,” he used to say.

On a recent Monday, his life came to an end. Maybe at last Manchester United’s persistent fan could at last be at rest.