🔗 Share this article I Go By MUFC: The Superfan Who Battled to Alter His Legal Name Inquire of any Man United fan of a certain age regarding the significance of that fateful day in May 1999, and they'll recount that the occasion changed them forever. It was the night when injury-time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær completed an stunning come-from-behind victory in the European Cup final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. Simultaneously, the life of one United fan in Bulgaria, who has died at the 62 years old, changed forever. Hopes in a Bygone Era This individual was originally called Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a place with a tight-knit community. Growing up in a socialist state with a love of football, he longed to legally altering his identity to… his beloved club. But, to claim the name of a sports team from the other side of the Iron Curtain was a futile endeavor. Any effort to do so prior to the end of communism, he would almost certainly have ended up in jail. A Commitment Sealed by Fate A decade after the political changes in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's unique aspiration came one step closer to reality. Tuning in from home from his simple residence in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin made a promise to himself: should his team mount a comeback, he would go to any lengths to change his name that of the team he adored. Then, against all odds, it transpired. A lifelong wish to walk the halls of the famous stadium came true. A Protracted Court Struggle A day later, Marin consulted an attorney to state his extraordinary desire, thus initiating a difficult fight. His dad, from whom he had gained his fandom, was deceased, and the 36-year-old was caring for his parent, working all kinds of odd jobs, including as a construction worker on minimal earnings. He was struggling financially, yet his dream became an obsession. He quickly turned into the subject of gossip, then became an international sensation, but many seasons full of judicial disputes and disheartening court decisions were to come. Trademark Issues and Limited Success His request was turned down at first for intellectual property issues: he was not permitted to adopt the name of a trademark known around the globe. Then a court official ruled partially in his favour, saying Marin could alter his given name to Manchester but that he was prohibited from using the second part as his legal last name. “But I don’t want to be associated with just a place in Britain, I want to bear the identity of my cherished club,” Marin told the court. His fight went on. A Life with Feline Friends Outside of legal proceedings, he was often tending to his pets. He had many animals in his garden in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the Manchester United. He named them all after United players: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the celebrity pets in town. Which was the favourite cat of the name they used? The feline known as Beckham. He was often seen in full club regalia. Progress and Integrity Another victory was secured in court: he was permitted to include the club name as an official nickname on his identification document. But still he wasn’t happy. “I will continue until my complete identity is the club's title,” he vowed. His story soon led to commercial propositions – an offer to have fan merchandise branded with his legal name – but even with his monetary challenges, he declined the proposal because he was unwilling to gain financially from his adored institution. The Manchester United name was beyond commercial use. Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts A film was made in that year. The crew made his aspiration come true of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even met the Bulgarian striker, the forward playing for United at the time. Permanently marked the United crest on his face subsequently as a demonstration against the legal rulings and in his final years it became more and more difficult for him to continue his legal battle. Work was limited and he lost his mother to Covid-19. But he managed to continue. Born as a Catholic, he was christened in an religious institution under the name his desired full name. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my chosen name,” he would frequently remark. This Monday, 13 October, his time ran out. Perhaps now the club's restless soul could at last be at rest.