đ Share this article I Go By Man Utd: This Die-Hard Supporter Who Battled to Change His Name Ask any United fan from an earlier generation regarding the importance of May 26th, 1999, and they will tell you that the date was life-altering. It was the evening when last-minute strikes from Sheringham and SolskjĂŚr completed an unbelievable late turnaround in the showpiece event against the German giants at the famous Barcelona stadium. Simultaneously, the life of one devoted supporter in Bulgaria, who recently died at the 62 years old, was transformed. A Dream Born in Communist Bulgaria The fan in question was given the name Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in Svishtov, a community with a population of 22,000. Living in a socialist state with a love of football, he longed to changing his name to⌠his beloved club. Yet, to adopt the name of a football club from the capitalist west was a futile endeavor. If he had attempted to do so prior to the end of communism, he would almost certainly have faced imprisonment. A Commitment Sealed by Fate Ten years after the political changes in Bulgaria â on that night in May 1999 â Marin's unique aspiration came one step closer to fulfillment. Tuning in from home from his humble abode in Svishtov and with United trailing, Marin swore an oath to himself: if United somehow turned the game around, he would do anything to change his name that of the object of his devotion. Then, a miracle occurred. Marin fulfils his dream of visiting Old Trafford. A Protracted Court Struggle The following morning, Marin consulted an attorney to state his extraordinary desire, thus beginning a long, hard battle. The parent who inspired him, from whom he had gained his fandom, was long gone, and the man in his thirties was residing with his mom, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a construction worker on minimal earnings. He was barely getting by, yet his dream became an obsession. He rapidly evolved into the subject of gossip, then gained worldwide attention, but a decade and a half full of court cases and discouraging rulings were to come. Legal Obstacles and Small Wins Marinâs wish was turned down at first for copyright reasons: he was barred from using the title of a world-famous brand. Then a local judge granted a limited approval, saying Marin could change his first name to the city name but that he was prohibited from using the second part as his official surname. âYet my aim is to be associated with just a place in Britain, I want to wear the name of my cherished club,â Marin informed the judge. His fight went on. His Beloved Cats When not in court, he was often looking after his cats. He had a large number in his back yard in Svishtov and loved them as much as the his team. He gave each one a name after team stars: such as Vidic and others, they were the most famous cats in town. Who was his preferred pet of the name they used? One named after David Beckham. Marin bedecked in United gear. Progress and Integrity Another victory was secured in court: he was permitted to include United as an official nickname on his personal papers. But this did not satisfy him. âI wonât stop until my complete identity is as I desire,â he promised. His narrative resulted in commercial propositions â a proposal to have supporters' goods made using his identity â but although he was in need, he turned down the offer because he was unwilling to gain financially from his beloved team. The Manchester United name was inviolable. Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes His story was captured in 2011. The production team made his aspiration come true of visiting Old Trafford and there he even encountered the Bulgarian striker, the Bulgaria striker playing for United at the time. Permanently marked the United crest on his forehead at a later date as a objection to the legal rulings and in his final years it became increasingly hard for him to continue his legal battle. Work was limited and he suffered the death of his mother to the pandemic. But he managed to continue. By birth a Catholic, he got baptised in an religious institution under the name the identity he sought. âUltimately, my true name is recognized with my true identity,â he often stated. This Monday, 13 October, his time ran out. Perhaps now Manchester Unitedâs restless soul could at last be at rest.