🔗 Share this article

Pose the question to any United fan who is older concerning the meaning of 26 May 1999, and the answer will be that the occasion changed them forever. It was the night when last-minute strikes from Sheringham and Solskjær secured an stunning late turnaround in the European Cup final against the German giants at the Camp Nou. That same night, the existence of one loyal follower in Eastern Europe, who passed away at the age of 62, was transformed.

A Dream Born in Communist Bulgaria

The fan in question was born Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a place with a modest number of residents. Being raised in communist Bulgaria with a devotion to football, he aspired to changing his name to… Manchester United. Yet, to claim the name of a sports team from the Western world was an unattainable goal. If he had attempted to do so during the socialist era, he would almost certainly have faced imprisonment.

A Vow Made Under Pressure

Many seasons after the political changes in Bulgaria – on the historic evening – Marin's personal goal came one step closer to fulfillment. Watching the final from his humble abode in Svishtov and with his team losing, Marin made a promise to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would go to any lengths to become known as that of the object of his devotion. Then, the impossible happened.

He realized his ambition to see the Theatre of Dreams.

Years of Judicial Challenges

A day later, Marin consulted an attorney to express his unusual request, thus starting a grueling process. His dad, from whom he had inherited his love of United, was long gone, and the 36-year-old was residing with his mom, working all kinds of odd jobs, including as a builder on £15 a day. He was barely getting by, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He quickly turned into the talk of the town, then became an international sensation, but 15 years full of legal battles and disheartening court decisions lay ahead.

Legal Obstacles and Small Wins

The application was denied early on for intellectual property issues: he could not change his name of a trademark known around the globe. Then a local judge granted a limited approval, saying Marin could modify his forename to the city name but that he was could not adopt the second part as his legal last name. “Yet my aim is to be identified with an urban area in England, I want to carry the title of my favourite football club,” Marin informed the judge. The struggle continued.

A Life with Feline Friends

During breaks from litigation, he was often caring for his feline friends. He had plenty of them in his outdoor space in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the his team. He christened them 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.

His attire consistently showed his allegiance.

Progress and Integrity

He achieved a further success in court: he was permitted to include the club name as an official nickname on his personal papers. But still he wasn’t happy. “My efforts will persist until my complete identity is Manchester United,” he declared. His narrative resulted in financial opportunities – a proposal to have supporters' goods produced under his new name – but even with his monetary challenges, he declined the proposal because he did not want to profit from his adored institution. The Manchester United name was sacred to him.

Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes

A documentary followed in 2011. The filmmakers made his aspiration come true of visiting Old Trafford and there he even encountered his compatriot, the national team player playing for United at the time.

He inked the United crest on his brow three years later as a demonstration against the court decisions and in his last few years it became increasingly hard for him to keep up the struggle. Work was limited and he lost his mother to the pandemic. But he managed to continue. Born as a Catholic, he underwent baptism in an Eastern Orthodox church under the name the identity he sought. “At least God will know me with my true identity,” he often stated.

This Monday, 13 October, his life came to an end. Perhaps now Manchester United’s restless soul could achieve eternal tranquility.