He appeared in two first-class matches as a lefthanded batsman who bowled left arm fast with a roundarm action. He scored no runs and held two catches. He took one wicket with a best analysis of one for 17.
Stephenson made his debut in first-class cricket for Lancashire against Kent at the Catford Bridge in 1875.
A second and final first-class appearance for Lancashire came against Derbyshire at Derby in 1877. He died in July 1927, aged 74.