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Pose the question to any Manchester United supporter from an earlier generation concerning the meaning of that fateful day in May 1999, and they will tell you that the date left an indelible mark. It was the night when injury-time goals from Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær completed an unbelievable come-from-behind victory in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. That same night, the life of one United fan in Bulgaria, who recently died at the 62 years old, changed forever.

Aspirations Under Communism

This individual was given the name Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in Svishtov, a place with a population of 22,000. Being raised in communist Bulgaria with a love of football, he dreamed of adopting a new name to… his beloved club. Yet, to take the name of a organization from the capitalist west was an unattainable goal. Had Marin tried to do so during the socialist era, he would almost certainly have been arrested.

A Promise Forged in Drama

Ten years after the fall of the regime in Bulgaria – on the historic evening – Marin's unique aspiration came one step closer to fulfillment. Viewing the match from his humble abode in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin vowed to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would spare no effort to legally adopt the name that of the team he adored. Then, a miracle occurred.

He realized his ambition to see the Theatre of Dreams.

The Long Legal Battle

A day later, Marin sought legal counsel to present his unique case, thus starting a grueling process. The parent who inspired him, from whom he had inherited his love of United, was deceased, and the 36-year-old was residing with his mom, working all kinds of odd jobs, including as a construction worker on minimal earnings. He was barely getting by, yet his aspiration grew into a mania. He quickly turned into the subject of gossip, then became an international sensation, but a decade and a half full of court cases and disheartening court decisions were to come.

Trademark Issues and Limited Success

The application was denied early on for intellectual property issues: he was not permitted to adopt the name of a world-famous brand. Then a court official granted a limited approval, saying Marin could alter his given name to the city name but that he was prohibited from using the second part as his legal last name. “However, I desire to be associated with just a place in England, I want to carry the title of my cherished club,” Marin stated during proceedings. The struggle continued.

Companions in Adversity

During breaks from litigation, he was often looking after his cats. He had many animals in his outdoor space in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the Manchester United. He gave each one a name after team stars: from Rio to Rooney, they were the celebrity pets in town. Who was his preferred pet of Man U? One named after David Beckham.

He was often seen in full club regalia.

Progress and Integrity

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 the club's title,” he promised. His story soon led to financial opportunities – a chance to have club products branded with his legal name – but even with his monetary challenges, he declined the proposal because he refused to make money from his adored institution. The Manchester United name was sacred to him.

Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes

A documentary followed in 2011. The filmmakers turned Marin’s dream of seeing the iconic stadium and there he even met his compatriot, the national team player on the team's roster at the time.

Marin tattooed the club badge on his forehead subsequently as a objection to the court decisions and in his final years it became ever tougher for him to continue his legal battle. Work was limited and he was bereaved to the pandemic. But against the odds, he persevered. Born as a Catholic, he was christened in an religious institution under the name the identity he sought. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my chosen name,” he often stated.

This Monday, 13 October, his heart stopped beating. Perhaps now Manchester United’s persistent fan could finally find peace.