đ Share this article My Name Is MUFC: The Die-Hard Supporter Who Struggled to Alter His Identity Inquire of any Man United devotee who is older regarding the significance of May 26th, 1999, and they'll recount that the night left an indelible mark. It was the moment when dramatic late goals from Sheringham and SolskjĂŚr secured an stunning come-from-behind victory in the Champions League final against the German giants at the famous Barcelona stadium. That same night, the life of one devoted supporter in Eastern Europe, who passed away at the 62 years old, was transformed. Hopes in a Bygone Era The fan in question was born Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a place with a tight-knit community. Being raised in the former Eastern Bloc with a passion for football, he longed to changing his name to⌠his beloved club. But, to adopt the name of a organization from the capitalist west was an unattainable goal. If he had attempted to do so during the socialist era, he would likely have faced imprisonment. A Commitment Sealed by Fate A decade after the end of communism in Bulgaria â on that night in May 1999 â Marin's idiosyncratic dream moved nearer to reality. Watching the final from his humble abode in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin swore an oath to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would do anything to change his name that of the team he adored. Then, against all odds, it transpired. He realized his ambition to see the Theatre of Dreams. A Protracted Court Struggle The next day, Marin visited a lawyer to express his unusual request, thus initiating a difficult fight. The parent who inspired him, from whom he had learned to support the club, was deceased, and the man in his thirties was caring for his parent, working all kinds of odd jobs, including as a construction worker on a meager daily wage. He was barely getting by, yet his dream became an obsession. He quickly turned into the talk of the town, then gained worldwide attention, but a decade and a half full of court cases and setbacks in litigation lay ahead. Copyright Hurdles and Partial Victories His request was turned down at first for copyright reasons: he was not permitted to adopt the name of a internationally recognized entity. Then a presiding magistrate ruled partially in his favour, saying Marin could alter his given name to the city name but that he was prohibited from using United as his official surname. âBut I donât want to be associated with just a place in England, I want to carry the title of my beloved team,â Marin stated during proceedings. The struggle continued. A Life with Feline Friends During breaks from litigation, he was often looking after his cats. He had many animals in his back yard in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the his team. He gave each one a name after United players: such as Vidic and others, they were the best-known felines in town. The one he loved most of his close friends' nickname for him? One named after David Beckham. Marin bedecked in United gear. Breakthroughs and Principles Another victory was secured in court: he was granted the right to append the club name as an official nickname on his identification document. But he remained dissatisfied. âMy efforts will persist until my entire name is as I desire,â he vowed. His narrative resulted in business offers â a proposal to have supporters' goods produced under his new name â but despite his financial struggles, he turned down the offer because he refused to make money from his adored institution. The team's title was beyond commercial use. Goals Achieved and Enduring Symbols A documentary followed in 2011. The production team fulfilled his wish of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even met the Bulgarian striker, the forward playing for United at the time. Marin tattooed the United crest on his forehead three years later as a protest against the legal rulings and in his last few years it became increasingly hard for him to keep up the struggle. Employment was hard to find and he lost his mother to the virus. But against the odds, he persevered. Originally of Catholic faith, he got baptised in an orthodox church under the name his desired full name. âIn the eyes of the divine, I am with my true identity,â he often stated. Earlier this week, his time ran out. It is possible that the club's restless soul could finally find peace.