🔗 Share this article

Inquire of any Manchester United devotee of a certain age about the significance of 26 May 1999, and the answer will be that the night left an indelible mark. It was the evening when dramatic late goals from Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær secured an incredible late turnaround in the European Cup final against the German giants at the famous Barcelona stadium. That same night, the life of one devoted supporter in Eastern Europe, who recently died at the 62 years old, took a new direction.

Aspirations Under Communism

This individual was given the name Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in a small Danube town, a community with a tight-knit community. Growing up in a socialist state with a passion for football, he dreamed of changing his name to… the Red Devils. However, to take 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 Promise Forged in Drama

Ten years after the end of communism in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's idiosyncratic dream moved nearer to reality. Watching the final from his simple residence in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin swore an oath to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would go to any lengths to change his name that of the club he loved. Then, against all odds, it transpired.

Marin fulfils his dream of visiting Old Trafford.

A Protracted Court Struggle

The following morning, Marin visited a lawyer to state his extraordinary desire, thus beginning a long, hard battle. The parent who inspired him, 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 laborer on £15 a day. He was struggling financially, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He rapidly evolved into the subject of gossip, then was featured globally, but many seasons full of court cases and discouraging rulings awaited him.

Trademark Issues and Limited Success

His request was denied early on for trademark concerns: he could not change his name of a internationally recognized entity. Then a presiding magistrate allowed a compromise, 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. “But I don’t want to be named after a city in Britain, I want to wear the name of my cherished club,” Marin stated during proceedings. The battle persisted.

A Life with Feline Friends

During breaks from litigation, he was often looking after his cats. He had a large number in his outdoor space in Svishtov and held them in the same esteem as the Red Devils. He named them all after team stars: such as Vidic and others, they were the most famous cats in town. Which was the favourite cat of the name they used? A kitty called Beckham.

His attire consistently showed his allegiance.

Breakthroughs and Principles

He achieved a further success in court: he was allowed to add United as an recognized alias on his personal papers. But this did not satisfy him. “I won’t stop until my entire name is Manchester United,” he promised. His story soon led to commercial propositions – a chance to have fan merchandise produced under his new name – but although he was in need, he rejected the opportunity because he was unwilling to gain financially from his beloved team. The club's identity was sacred to him.

Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes

A documentary followed in 2011. The crew turned Marin’s dream of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even encountered his compatriot, the Bulgaria striker then at the club at the time.

Marin tattooed the United crest on his forehead subsequently as a objection to the legal rulings and in his final years it became increasingly hard for him to persist with his fight. Work was limited and he lost his mother to the virus. But against the odds, he persevered. Born as a Catholic, he underwent baptism in an religious institution under the name his desired full name. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my true identity,” he used to say.

On a recent Monday, his life came to an end. Perhaps now Manchester United’s persistent fan could achieve eternal tranquility.