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Pose the question to any United devotee of a certain age concerning the significance of that fateful day in May 1999, and they'll recount that the night changed them forever. It was the night when injury-time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær sealed an stunning come-from-behind victory in the showpiece event against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. It was also, the existence of one loyal follower in Bulgaria, who recently died at the 62 years old, was transformed.

Aspirations Under Communism

That supporter was born Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a place with a tight-knit community. Growing up in a socialist state with a devotion to football, he longed to changing his name to… the Red Devils. However, to take the name of a sports team from the other side of the Iron Curtain was an unattainable goal. If he had attempted to do so during the socialist era, he would almost certainly have faced imprisonment.

A Vow Made Under Pressure

Ten years after the political changes in Bulgaria – on the unforgettable final – Marin's unique aspiration moved nearer to achievement. Viewing the match from his simple residence in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin swore an oath to himself: should his team mount a comeback, he would go to any lengths to become known as that of the object of his devotion. Then, the impossible happened.

A lifelong wish to walk the halls of the famous stadium came true.

The Long Legal Battle

A day later, Marin sought legal counsel to express his unusual request, thus starting a grueling process. The parent who inspired him, from whom he had inherited his love of United, was long gone, and the 36-year-old was caring for his parent, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a laborer on £15 a day. He was struggling financially, yet his dream became an obsession. He rapidly evolved into the local celebrity, then gained worldwide attention, but 15 years full of court cases and disheartening court decisions awaited him.

Trademark Issues and Limited Success

His request was rejected initially for trademark concerns: he was barred from using the title of a trademark known around the globe. Then a court official granted a limited approval, saying Marin could alter his given name to Manchester but that he was prohibited from using the second part as his family name. “Yet my aim is to be named after a city in the UK, I want to carry the title of my beloved team,” Marin informed the judge. 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 outdoor space in Svishtov and loved them as much as the Manchester United. He gave each one a name after United players: such as Vidic and others, they were the most famous cats in town. The one he loved most of his close friends' nickname for him? A kitty called Beckham.

Marin bedecked in United gear.

Progress and Integrity

He achieved a further success in court: he was granted the right to append the club name as an legal alternative on his identification document. But he remained dissatisfied. “My efforts will persist until my entire name is Manchester United,” he promised. His tale attracted business offers – an offer to have fan merchandise branded with his legal name – but although he was in need, he turned down the offer because he was unwilling to gain financially from his adored institution. The club's identity was inviolable.

Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts

His story was captured in that year. The production team turned Marin’s dream of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even encountered Dimitar Berbatov, the national team player then at the club at the time.

Permanently marked the United crest on his brow at a later date as a protest against the legal rulings and in his last few years it became increasingly hard for him to persist with his fight. Employment was hard to find and he suffered the death of his mother to the virus. But somehow, he found a way. Originally of Catholic faith, he was christened in an orthodox church under the name Manchester United Zdravkov Levidzhov. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my true identity,” he would frequently remark.

Earlier this week, his heart stopped beating. It is possible that the club's determined supporter could at last be at rest.