đ Share this article I Go By Man Utd: The Die-Hard Supporter Who Fought to Change His Name Inquire of any Man United fan who is older about the importance of that fateful day in May 1999, and they'll recount that the night left an indelible mark. It was the moment when injury-time goals from Sheringham and SolskjĂŠr sealed an unbelievable come-from-behind victory in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. It was also, the world of one loyal follower in Bulgaria, who has died at the age of 62, took a new direction. A Dream Born in Communist Bulgaria This individual was originally called Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a settlement with a modest number of residents. Being raised in communist Bulgaria with a love of football, he longed to adopting a new name to⊠the Red Devils. But, to take the name of a football club from the other side of the Iron Curtain was a futile endeavor. Had Marin tried to do so before the fall of the regime, he would undoubtedly have been arrested. A Vow Made Under Pressure Many seasons after the political changes in Bulgaria â on that night in May 1999 â Marin's unique aspiration edged closer to achievement. Tuning in from home from his simple residence 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, a miracle occurred. Marin fulfils his dream of visiting Old Trafford. Years of Judicial Challenges A day later, Marin sought legal counsel to present his unique case, thus beginning a long, hard battle. Marinâs father, from whom he had learned to support the club, was deceased, and the man in his thirties was residing with his mom, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a construction worker on ÂŁ15 a day. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his dream became an obsession. He soon became the local celebrity, then was featured globally, but many seasons full of judicial disputes and disheartening court decisions were to come. Copyright Hurdles and Partial Victories Marinâs wish was rejected initially 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 the city name but that he was prohibited from using the second part as his official surname. âHowever, I desire to be named after a city in the UK, I want to carry the title of my beloved team,â Marin told the court. His fight went on. A Life with Feline Friends During breaks from litigation, 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 Manchester United. He gave each one a name after United players: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the celebrity pets in town. The one he loved most of his close friends' nickname for him? One named after David Beckham. Marin bedecked in United gear. Advances and Ethics He achieved a further success in court: he was permitted to include United as an official nickname on his identification document. But he remained dissatisfied. âI will continue until my entire name is as I desire,â he declared. His narrative resulted in financial opportunities â an offer to have club products branded with his legal name â but despite his financial struggles, he declined the proposal because he did not want to profit from his favourite club. The Manchester United name was inviolable. Goals Achieved and Enduring Symbols A documentary followed in that year. The filmmakers fulfilled his wish of visiting Old Trafford and there he even had the chance to see his compatriot, the national team player on the team's roster at the time. He inked the club badge on his brow subsequently as a protest against the judicial outcomes and in his closing chapter it became increasingly hard for him to keep up the struggle. Employment was hard to find and he was bereaved to Covid-19. But he managed to continue. Born as a Catholic, he underwent baptism in an Eastern Orthodox church under the name the identity he sought. âAt least God will know me with my true identity,â he often stated. Earlier this week, his time ran out. Maybe at last Manchester Unitedâs persistent fan could at last be at rest.