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Inquire of any Man United supporter of a certain age concerning the importance of 26 May 1999, and they'll recount that the night changed them forever. It was the moment when last-minute strikes from Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær secured an stunning come-from-behind victory in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. That same night, the world of one devoted supporter in Eastern Europe, who recently died at the 62 years old, was transformed.

Hopes in a Bygone Era

That supporter was given the name Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in his hometown, a settlement with a modest number of residents. Living in communist Bulgaria with a love of football, he longed to legally altering his identity to… his beloved club. Yet, to claim the name of a football club from the Western world was mission impossible. If he had attempted to do so before the fall of the regime, he would undoubtedly have faced imprisonment.

A Vow Made Under Pressure

Ten years after the political changes in Bulgaria – on the unforgettable final – Marin's idiosyncratic dream edged closer to fulfillment. Watching the final from his humble abode in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin made a promise to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would go to any lengths to change his name that of the object of his devotion. Then, the impossible happened.

He realized his ambition to see the Theatre of Dreams.

Years of Judicial Challenges

The next day, Marin sought legal counsel to express his unusual request, thus starting a grueling process. His dad, from whom he had gained his fandom, was long gone, and the man in his thirties was living with his mother, taking on various types of work, including as a laborer on a meager daily wage. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He quickly turned into the local celebrity, then gained worldwide attention, but 15 years full of court cases and setbacks in litigation awaited him.

Copyright Hurdles and Partial Victories

The application was denied early on for intellectual property issues: he was barred from using the title of a world-famous brand. Then a local judge granted a limited approval, saying Marin could modify his forename to the city name but that he was could not adopt United as his family name. “However, I desire to be named after a city in England, I want to bear the identity of my cherished club,” Marin stated during proceedings. The struggle continued.

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 Manchester United. He christened them after United players: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the best-known felines in town. The one he loved most of the name they used? A kitty called Beckham.

Marin bedecked in United gear.

Advances and Ethics

Marin managed another breakthrough in court: he was allowed to add the club name as an legal alternative on his identification document. But he remained dissatisfied. “I will continue until my full name is as I desire,” he declared. His tale attracted commercial propositions – a proposal to have club products produced under his new name – but even with his monetary challenges, he declined the proposal because he refused to make money from his adored institution. The team's title was sacred to him.

Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes

His story was captured in 2011. The filmmakers made his aspiration come true of visiting Old Trafford and there he even had the chance to see his compatriot, the forward then at the club at the time.

Permanently marked the club badge on his brow three years later as a protest against the judicial outcomes and in his last few years it became ever tougher for him to continue his legal battle. Employment was hard to find and he suffered the death of his mother to Covid-19. But he managed to continue. By birth a Catholic, he got baptised in an Eastern Orthodox church under the name Manchester United Zdravkov Levidzhov. “In the eyes of the divine, I am with my true identity,” he used to say.

Earlier this week, his heart stopped beating. Perhaps now Manchester United’s persistent fan could achieve eternal tranquility.