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Ask any Man United supporter from an earlier generation concerning the meaning of that fateful day in May 1999, and the answer will be that the occasion changed them forever. It was the night when last-minute strikes from Teddy Sheringham and Solskjær completed an unbelievable 2-1 comeback in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou. It was also, the existence of one United fan in Bulgaria, who passed away at the age of 62, was transformed.

A Dream Born in Communist Bulgaria

That supporter was originally called Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a community with a tight-knit community. Growing up in the former Eastern Bloc with a devotion to football, he longed to legally altering his identity to… Manchester United. Yet, to take the name of a football club from the capitalist west was mission impossible. If he had attempted to do so before the fall of the regime, he would likely have been arrested.

A Promise Forged in Drama

A decade after the political changes in Bulgaria – on the historic evening – Marin's unique aspiration came one step closer to reality. 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 spare no effort to become known as that of the team he adored. Then, against all odds, it transpired.

He realized his ambition to see the Theatre of Dreams.

The Long Legal Battle

A day later, Marin consulted an attorney to present his unique case, thus beginning a long, hard battle. Marin’s father, from whom he had learned to support the club, was long gone, and the 36-year-old was living with his mother, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a construction worker on £15 a day. He was struggling financially, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He soon became the local celebrity, then was featured globally, but many seasons full of judicial disputes and disheartening court decisions were to come.

Legal Obstacles and Small Wins

His request was denied early on for copyright reasons: he was not permitted to adopt the name of a trademark known around the globe. Then a court official allowed a compromise, saying Marin could modify his forename to the city name but that he was prohibited from using United as his family name. “Yet my aim is to be associated with just a place in Britain, I want to wear the name of my beloved team,” Marin stated during proceedings. The struggle continued.

Companions in Adversity

During breaks from litigation, he was often caring for his feline friends. He had many animals in his garden in Svishtov and held them in the same esteem as the Red Devils. He christened them after United players: such as Vidic and others, they were the most famous cats in town. Who was his preferred pet of his close friends' nickname for him? A kitty called Beckham.

Marin bedecked in United gear.

Breakthroughs and Principles

Another victory was secured in court: he was permitted to include United as an official nickname on his ID card. But this did not satisfy him. “My efforts will persist until my entire name is Manchester United,” he declared. His story soon led to financial opportunities – a chance to have fan merchandise made using his identity – but although he was in need, he rejected the opportunity because he was unwilling to gain financially from his beloved team. The Manchester United name was beyond commercial use.

Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes

His story was captured in 2011. The filmmakers turned Marin’s dream of seeing the iconic stadium and there he even had the chance to see the Bulgarian striker, the national team player playing for United at the time.

He inked the team emblem on his forehead at a later date as a objection to the judicial outcomes and in his last few years it became increasingly hard for him to continue his legal battle. Employment was hard to find and he was bereaved to the virus. But against the odds, he persevered. Born as a Catholic, he got baptised in an Eastern Orthodox church under the name his desired full name. “At least God will know me with my true identity,” he used to say.

This Monday, 13 October, his time ran out. It is possible that Manchester United’s persistent fan could achieve eternal tranquility.