A retention plate for a T-shaped fence post having securing protrusions formed thereon, a lower end of the fence post and the retention plate configured to be inserted into soil to position the fence post in a desired orientation. The retention plate comprises a plate body including central openings for receiving a plurality of the securing protrusions formed on the fence post. The plate body has a periphery with a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges. The plate body has a plurality of openings therein configured and arranged to increase a resistance to the plate being extracted from the soil.